Chapter Text
Jimin sighed as he absentmindedly brushed his bare hand against a nettle. He hissed in pain and quickly walked over to the sink inside the little cabin, placing his hand under the stream of cold water to ease the sting. He was far more sleep-deprived than usual these days; the pack was preparing for a massive summer festival, and everyone was working overtime. Naturally, Jimin was working twice as hard as anyone else.
He had been born into a very poor family in an equally impoverished pack. Despite the hardships, he had been happy, because nothing could replace the warmth of a loving family. Unfortunately, when he was just seven years old, his parents passed away from tuberculosis during a plague that wiped out half the pack. Barely surviving himself, Jimin became an orphan, prompting his old pack alpha to summon his mother’s sister to fetch him.
That was the first time he had ever met his aunt, Yujun. She looked exactly like his mother, though she appeared much healthier and wealthier. His aunt had been fortunate enough to marry Choi Sihyuk, the richest man in the Jeon pack. That was how Jimin ended up in the Choi household within the Jeon pack.
The Jeon pack was unlike anything he had ever known. It was so vast that he didn't even know where its borders began and ended. Even its politics were complex; a handful of wealthy families managed relations with other packs and ruled the various regions, but above everyone else stood the Jeons. Jeon Doyun was the head alpha, followed in line by his eldest son, Namjoon, and his second son, Jungkook. The Choi family was incredibly close to the Jeons, always occupying the front rows at dinners and meetings.
Of course, Jimin was never allowed to join them. He was viewed as nothing more than a burden the Choi family had to endure. He had understood that from the exact moment he arrived at their house. He didn't have his own room—sleeping wherever there was an empty space—and he ate whatever leftovers remained, wearing the hand-me-downs his cousin Mina had outgrown. Nevertheless, he was grateful. They didn't have to take him in, but they did. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement, anyway; the Jeons had elevated the Chois' social status as a reward for their "charitable act" of adopting an orphan.
Yet, despite his mistreatment at home, Jimin was deeply loved by the rest of the pack. Because of his sweet nature and cute appearance, the elders were always doting on him, inviting him into their homes and feeding him sweets. Through these visits around the neighborhood, he had become close friends with two fellow omegas, Seokjin and Taehyung.
They were brothers, with Taehyung being three years older than Jimin, and Seokjin ten years older. Seokjin had practically raised them, teaching them everything they needed to know about being an omega. Jimin cherished his friends dearly, constantly thanking the Goddess for sending them into his life.
“Did you hurt yourself again?” Hoseok asked, stepping into the cabin with a frown. “You need to get more sleep, Jimin.”
Jimin flashed his usual bright smile. “I’m fine, hyung. You know how clumsy I am.”
“Anyone would be clumsy with that amount of exhaustion,” Hoseok countered, sounding irritated. He walked over to one of the cabinets, retrieved a soothing salve, and gently took Jimin’s hand to apply it to the sting. Jimin smiled at his mentor's worried scowl; the alpha had always been incredibly caring, and he was a wonderful teacher. Hoseok had discovered Jimin’s extraordinary sense of smell—which was far sharper than that of an average wolf—back when Hoseok was a budding twenty-year-old herbalist and Jimin was just a fourteen-year-old boy. He had immediately taken Jimin under his wing as his apprentice. Jimin owed so much to Hoseok, who had been both a protective older brother and an incredible teacher over the years. Now, thanks to him, Jimin was a brilliant eighteen-year-old herbalist in his own right.
“Uhm, hyung,” Jimin said hesitantly, “can I leave a bit early today? I have to clean the upstairs of the cottage.”
Hoseok’s frown deepened. “You did the cleaning yesterday.”
Jimin bit his bottom lip. “I fell asleep after finishing the downstairs and…” He gulped.
Hoseok sighed. “Did they get really angry at you?”
Jimin shook his head meekly. “No, but it would be best if I finish it tonight.”
Hoseok nodded reluctantly. “Alright.”
Jimin smiled, feeling a wave of relief. Grabbing his bag, he headed for the door and called out, “I’ll come in early tomorrow!”
“Don’t you dare!” Hoseok yelled after him. “Sleep in tomorrow morning!”
Thank goodness no one was home yet when Jimin stepped inside the cottage. Last night, he had been chewed out terribly for falling asleep right in the middle of his chores. He had felt deeply embarrassed, so he was determined to finish everything today. He pulled out the supplies he had prepared yesterday and immediately got to work.
By the time he finished, he was dead tired, and a dull ache throbbed through his limbs. Just then, his aunt came home. Finding him upstairs, she stared critically at the floor and then glared at him. “Why did you leave the floor wet? Are you trying to make us slip and hurt ourselves?” she snapped, before marching into her room and slamming the door shut.
Jimin sighed softly and immediately started wiping the floors dry.
It was always like this. Jimin felt he constantly needed to earn his place in the house. Because he had been fed and clothed for free all these years, he was burdened with endless chores—cleaning the house, doing the dishes, setting the table, and helping with absolutely everything. To balance it all, he had to work twice as hard to keep up with his actual job as a herbalist. Yet, he never complained. He truly believed he owed them his life, which was why he gave them every single coin he earned from his work.
Finally, after midnight, he managed to lie down on the small sofa tucked under the stairs, sighing as his aching muscles finally relaxed. Just then, the front door clicked open and Mina sneaked inside. She froze when she spotted him.
“Oh, it’s just you,” she whispered. “Are Mom and Dad asleep?”
Jimin sat up, rubbing his eyes. “Yeah. Where were you? I told them you needed to work at the tailor’s because of the festival preparations.”
Mina sighed dreamily, dropping onto the sofa right next to him. “Jimin, I’m in love,” she whispered.
Jimin frowned playfully, a smile tugging at his lips as he raised an eyebrow. “Again?”
She rolled her eyes and pouted. “I know, I know, but this time is different. I swear it is! I bumped into him after I finished my shift at the tailor's cabin. As I was walking down the road, I tripped over a stone, fell, and scraped my knee. Then, he appeared out of nowhere. He carried the most heavenly scent I’ve ever smelled, and he helped me up with this look of sincere worry on his incredibly handsome face. Oh, Jimin... after he helped me, he treated me to dinner and we talked until midnight. He looks like a fierce, savage warrior until he smiles, but he talks like an absolute dream and he’s so funny.”
Jimin watched her beautiful eyes shine brightly as she gushed. He couldn't help but smile along with her. Mina was different from her parents. When Jimin had first arrived at the house, she hadn't been thrilled about having to share her home with him. But she was five years older, and seeing a grieving, neglected child with no one else in the world had softened her heart over time. She started sharing her toys, offering him her clothes before she even outgrew them, and chatting with him like real cousins. She was the only one of his blood relatives who actually treated him like family.
Jimin was beyond grateful to her and loved her so much. Growing up, he would often take the blame for her mischief and accept the punishments for her. As they got older, that habit evolved into him covering for her whenever she stayed out late. Mina was a naturally flirtatious omega; she loved going on dates and falling in love. But even Jimin had to admit she seemed and smelled completely different tonight. Her usual amber rose scent was sweeter than it had ever been. Jimin felt a wave of excitement for her—maybe she really had met the one. He was already certain the alpha liked her back. How could he not? She was one of the most beautiful omegas Jimin had ever seen, possessing truly distinct features: long ginger hair paired with icy blue eyes that enchanted anyone who looked at her.
She glanced at him, nudging his shoulder. "Yah, you should start dating too, you know, Jimin? You're already eighteen."
Jimin smiled, looking down at his hands. He didn't really have any time for romance in his busy life, but more importantly, Jimin was waiting. Some wolves were blessed by the Goddess with soulmates. In ancient times, wolves could find their match just by a single glance or by catching their scent. Over time, however, as their wild instincts faded and their human sides grew stronger, those sharp perceptions grew dull. To guide them, the Goddess bestowed soulmate marks upon their skin.
If you were granted a soulmate, you were born with a distinct birthmark representing your match. Of course, it could still be confusing—it was just a mark, nothing more, and it could mean anything to a human mind. It was a symbol you could interpret however you wanted. But his mother had once told him, “You’ll just know.” Yes, there was no sudden magical pull, no instant recognition from their inner wolves, and nothing but a visible mark to go on—but you would just know.
Jimin believes her completely, because his mother found her own soulmate in Jimin’s father. They both bear the signs. His mother has an arrow because his father is an archer, and his father has a spoon because his mother loves to cook. Those simple marks were their only clues, but they trusted them, mated, and eventually, duplicate versions of each other’s marks appeared right beside their own. If someone finds their true soulmate and successfully mates, their partner’s mark appears on their skin.
Still, it required an incredible stroke of fate. Not everyone was born with a mark, and even those who were didn’t always live in the same timeline or region as their soulmate, making an encounter impossible. Despite that, marks weren’t entirely rare; they were actually quite common, but wolves were often too blind to realize it. Jimin, however, wouldn’t be one of them. Ever since his childhood, he knew he was going to find his soulmate. He was determined to recognize them the very minute he saw them, fall in love at first sight, and live happily ever after.
He had been sure of it from the moment his mother explained the shape on his abdomen. Right above his hip, on his lower stomach, rested a pink birthmark in the exact shape of a tiger lily. Jimin had clung to that mark even more tightly after losing his parents and moving to the Jeon pack to live with his aunt's family. He was certain there was happiness waiting for him in this life—a reward for everything he had lost. A divine love story, and a real family he could build with the right person.
That was why he had never dipped his toes into romance all these years. It felt unnecessary to get involved with someone else when his perfect person was out there waiting for him.
He glanced back at Mina, who was still staring dreamily at the ceiling. She always found Jimin’s romantic idealism a bit foolish. How do you know your soulmate is even out there? she would ask. What if you don’t even exist in the same timeline? But Jimin remained firm. Even so, he understood her perspective; she didn’t have a mark of her own, and to Jimin, the kind of love she was looking for—the kind you know by heart—was equally precious.
***
Jimin headed out to the herb garden just as the sun was rising. He hadn’t been able to sleep; he hated being caught sleeping on the living room couch when the rest of the household woke up, and besides, some of the herbs needed to be watered early in the morning anyway.
While watering the plants, he noticed the hunting team already doing their drills in the neighboring field. Finished with his tasks, he sat down on a chair inside the cozy herb hut and poured himself a hot cup of coffee, sighing in deep contentment. The scent of delicious coffee blending perfectly with the surrounding flowers always made this his absolute favorite moment of the day.
He was slowly sipping his coffee when a knock sounded at the hut’s door. Namjoon, the heir to the head alpha, stepped inside, flashing his signature dimpled smile. “Good morning, Jimin.”
Jimin got to his feet, smiling warmly. “Good morning, hyung.” He gestured for Namjoon to take a seat and offered him a cup of coffee. Namjoon visited the herb hut occasionally, being a close friend of Hoseok’s, and he had developed a soft spot for Jimin, finding the younger omega incredibly smart and talented.
“How is everything going, Jimin? I’m sorry I haven't been able to visit for a while. With the festival coming up, everything has been so chaotic.”
Jimin nodded understandingly. “No need to apologize, hyung. We’ve been incredibly busy too. Are you up this early to assist the hunters?”
Namjoon nodded. “Yes, I just introduced Jungkook to them as their new commander.”
Jimin raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Jungkook? Your brother? Is he back?”
As the second son of the leader, Jeon Jungkook had been sent away for rigorous combat and strategy training. According to pack custom, the firstborn Jeon son was responsible for educating himself to become a fair and wise leader, while the second son was expected to train to lead on the battlefields and secure resources. Consequently, Jungkook had been sent away at the age of sixteen to train across different regions. Jimin had only seen him from a distance once or twice when he first arrived at the pack years ago; if he saw him now, he wouldn't even recognize him.
Namjoon nodded. “He arrived yesterday. Father didn't want to make a massive announcement about it, so he started his duties today.”
Jimin sipped his coffee, nodding slowly. “You must be so happy to finally be reunited with him.”
Namjoon’s smile wavered slightly. “I... of course I’m happy. It’s just that we’re practically strangers now. The last time I saw him was eleven years ago.”
Jimin sighed, understanding the complexity of the situation. “I understand, hyung. But you spent your childhood together, and I think that’s the most important time of a person's life. Look at how strong Taehyung and Seokjin hyung's bond is, despite all the time they spend bickering.”
At the mention of the name, Namjoon’s eyes lit up with interest. He fidgeted a little, and Jimin already knew what the question would be before the alpha even opened his mouth.
“How is Seokjin?”
Jimin glanced down at his coffee cup, mentally cursing himself for bringing up the topic. Namjoon had been interested in Seokjin for years, but the omega wasn't interested and likely never would be. The Kim family harbored a deep resentment toward the Jeons. Years ago, when they were children, Head Alpha Jeon had sent Seokjin and Taehyung’s sick alpha brother to help resolve a feud with a neighboring pack, which ultimately resulted in him dying on the road. Seokjin was furious, knowing that sending a sick person on such a journey was a death sentence. To this day, he believed the head alpha should have sent his own son instead of his brother.
“He is fine,” Jimin muttered quietly.
Namjoon sighed, standing up to leave. “I’ll leave you to your work. See you later, Jimin.”
“Goodbye, hyung,” Jimin said, standing up to see him out. He felt a deep sympathy for him; Namjoon was truly a good person, and Jimin genuinely admired him. But he could understand Seokjin's pain too, and you could never force feelings.
Later that morning, Hoseok arrived at the cabin. He scolded Jimin for being there so early, but they quickly put the argument aside and got straight to work.
On his way home later that afternoon, Jimin dropped by Seokjin and Taehyung’s house, where he happily ate the delicious meals their grandmother had prepared. Thank goodness he had prepped his aunt and uncle's dinner the day before, so he didn’t have to worry about them being angry with him today.
After eating, the three of them sat in the bedroom, chatting away.
“Namjoon hyung asked about you today, hyung,” Jimin said directly to Seokjin, causing the older omega’s face to fall.
“He really won’t let it go,” Seokjin muttered, annoyed.
“But he doesn't actually try to force himself on you or talk to you directly, right?” Taehyung asked.
Seokjin sighed, glancing away. “Well, no, he doesn't. But... everyone in the pack knows he’s interested in me, and because of that, no other alphas are courting me. I’m getting older.”
“Do you have your eye on someone else?” Taehyung asked, raising an eyebrow.
“No, but…” Seokjin shrugged, trying to shake off the heavy mood. “Never mind. I’m sure we’ll meet plenty of cute alphas at the summer festival.” He changed the subject, his eyes suddenly lighting up with excitement.
Taehyung giggled. “I’ve already prepared some really nice clothes for it.”
“Me too,” Seokjin agreed, and then he turned his gaze to Jimin. “And we have something for you, too.”
Jimin gasped as Seokjin pulled a beautiful, elegant white shirt and a pair of matching trousers out of the wardrobe. Jimin’s eyes welled with tears. His hyungs knew him all too well; they knew he wouldn't have prepared anything for himself.
“Why did you spend your money on this?” Jimin asked, a wave of guilt washing over him. He knew their financial situation wasn't the best either. Seokjin was currently supporting their whole family, though Taehyung had recently started working in the pack kitchens to help out.
Seokjin glared at him playfully, giving him a gentle shove as he sat down beside him on the bed. “You should say 'thank you,' Jimin, when your hyung gives you a gift.”
Jimin smiled warmly. “Thank you, hyung.”
Seokjin was always like that—constantly looking out for him, just as he did for Taehyung. Jimin had learned everything from him. In fact, he had run straight to Seokjin when his inner wolf first emerged. That was when his scent had transformed, shifting from just sweet milk and honey to include a faint hint of honeysuckle—a mature note that only appeared when he was in heat. Seokjin had been quick to recognize the changes, stepping in to help Jimin before his heat completely took over, and teaching him exactly how to manage it safely on his own.
Even if it were just for that alone, Jimin would be forever grateful to him.
***
When he finally went back home, he sighed with relief to find only Mina awake. She was waiting for him, practically vibrating with excitement. She grabbed his hand and pulled him down onto the couch, a giddy smile on her face.
“We met again, Jimin! Oh, you should have seen how gorgeous he looked tonight. And…” She dropped her voice to a thrilled whisper. “…he kissed me!”
Jimin giggled, loving her sheer enthusiasm and the bright flush on her cheeks. “Really? How was it?”
Mina bit her bottom lip, staring off dreamily. “He is the absolute best kisser. I’m still shaking just thinking about it.”
“So, are you two in a relationship now?” Jimin asked curiously.
She sighed softly. “He didn't explicitly say anything like that, but I think he’s really into me.”
Jimin nudged her playfully. “Of course he is! Anyone with eyes would go crazy for you.”
She giggled. “Oh, you are the cutest, Jimin.” Then, a playful glint shined in her eyes. “I’ve seen a lot of new, handsome faces around lately with the festival getting so close. I bet you’ll meet the one soon, too.”
Jimin raised an eyebrow, a soft smile on his lips. “Do you think your alpha is already 'the one' for you?”
She nodded, suddenly looking serious. “I think you just know the exact moment you see them.”
Jimin understood that feeling completely; he was looking for the exact same kind of certainty in his own life. He felt a sudden rush of happiness for her—she truly deserved this kind of joy.
Mina noticed his soft expression and chuckled. “Oh, my Jiminnie, you are the absolute sweetest. Look how sentimental you’re getting!” She reached over and began to tickle him, causing a loud, involuntary giggle to escape his lips.
He regretted it the exact moment he heard a door click open upstairs.
His aunt descended the stairs with heavy, furious steps, glaring down at him. “As if it wasn't enough that you come home at this hour so irresponsibly, now you’re making noise, you disrespectful brat? Do you never think about the people around you?” she scolded angrily.
Jimin gulped, tears immediately welling in his eyes as he fought to keep them from falling.
Mina sighed and stood up to shield him. “Mom, it was my fault. I made him laugh, don’t yell at him.”
Her mother turned her harsh gaze to her daughter, her frown deepening. “I know you’re always trying to cover for him, Mina. Don’t do it. Otherwise, you and I are going to have a serious problem.”
“I really don’t, Mom! You’re being way too hard on Jimin. He doesn’t even have time to sleep—how can you not feel bad for him?” Mina scoffed, her voice rising as she began to grow genuinely angry.
Jimin tried to warn her with a sharp look, but it was already too late. His aunt whipped around, glaring fiercely at him. “Aren't you ashamed of yourself, turning my own daughter against me, you ungrateful bastard? Is this the price we pay for feeding and sheltering you all these years?”
Jimin quickly stood up, placing a firm, cautious hand on Mina’s arm to keep her from speaking further. “I am so sorry, Aunt. I will behave much more carefully from now on.”
His aunt rolled her eyes dramatically, turning to head back upstairs while murmuring curses under her breath. Once she was gone, Mina turned to him, exasperated. “Why did you stop me?”
Jimin sighed softly, the weight of the house pressing down on him. “I know you mean well, but they only treat me worse when you stand up for me, Mina. Please, don’t ruin your relationship with them for my sake.”
She pouted, her anger melting into sympathy as she pulled him into a warm, tight hug. As she finally pulled away and headed toward the stairs, she whispered softly, “Stay hopeful, just like you always do, Jimin. Every day is a new day.”
***
Jimin smiled at his reflection in the mirror. He looked incredibly bright in the all-white attire. The lace details of the shirt gave him an elegant air, and his soft brown hair bounced as he fidgeted with excitement. His face was bare; Seokjin had banned Taehyung and him from wearing any makeup, insisting that their youth was more than enough.
They headed out to the festival, stepping into the beautiful summer air. Everywhere you looked, the pack grounds were bursting with life. All the streets were decorated with colorful hanging lanterns, and flowers were in full bloom. Stalls lined the pathways, filled with vibrant clothes and surrounded by the sound of laughing people.
Suddenly, Jimin saw Mina running toward him with a brilliant smile. She looked absolutely breathtaking in her pink chiffon dress, her stunning features radiant. She threw her arms around him. "You look so cute, Jiminnie!"
Jimin chuckled. "And you look beautiful."
Mina struck a playful pose, her eyes sparkling. "Beautiful enough to get lucky tonight?"
Jimin and Taehyung giggled as Seokjin raised his eyebrows. "Alright, what's going on here?"
Mina shrugged mischievously. "I’m not telling you yet! You'll see when it happens," she teased, waving goodbye before disappearing into the crowd.
Jimin, Seokjin, and Taehyung began wandering past the festival stalls. The two younger omegas eagerly tasted every sweet they could find, while Seokjin admired the beautiful fabrics on display. Picking up a roll of rich, red satin, Seokjin held it up to show them. "Isn't this gorgeous?"
They both nodded, their mouths stuffed with treats. Taehyung said around a mouthful of food, "You'd look wonderful in it, hyung."
Seokjin grimaced, pulling the material away. "Don't spit on the fabric!"
Taehyung pouted, reaching out to feel the material to ease his hyung's worries, but his hand—sticky and covered in syrup from his sweets—smeared right onto the satin.
All three of them gasped.
The merchant shoved his way through the crowd, his face darkening with rage. "What do you think you're doing?!"
Seokjin bowed instantly. "I apologize, mister..." But the man yelled over him, refusing to let him finish. "Pay for it immediately!"
Jimin’s heart sank, knowing all too well that this kind of fabric was far too expensive for them to afford on the spot. Seokjin bowed again, doing his best to keep his voice steady. “Of course, but I don’t have that much money on me right now. Could we sign a promissory note and pay in installments?”
But the merchant only grew angrier at the suggestion. He began yelling even louder, aggressively demanding his money right then and there. The loud commotion caused the surrounding crowd to stop and stare at them, whispering as Seokjin practically begged for understanding. Jimin felt absolutely horrible, his mind racing as he desperately tried to figure out how they could find the money.
“What’s going on here?” a powerful voice cut through the air, silencing everyone.
Jimin saw Namjoon and bit his bottom lip, glancing over to see Seokjin already grimacing. The alpha strode through the crowd and stood directly in front of the merchant. “Is this how you treat a customer? As wolves of the same pack, is this the extent of our understanding toward one another?” he asked, his voice dripping with authority.
The merchant stammered, but Seokjin cut in sharply, “I am handling it.”
Namjoon ignored the protest and continued, addressing the merchant, “You will draw up a promissory note for the fabric.”
The merchant nodded immediately, rushing to grab the necessary paperwork. Seokjin was practically fuming, his scent flaring with anger. The moment the document was ready, he snatched it up and stood right in front of Namjoon.
“Don't you ever poke your nose into my business again. Never,” he hissed through his teeth. Brushing his shoulder harshly against the alpha's, he walked past him with hurried, angry steps. Taehyung ran after his brother, a deeply guilty expression painted across his face.
Jimin just stared at Namjoon. The broken look in the alpha’s eyes showed he was clearly hurt. Moving closer, Jimin took hold of his arm to guide him away from the attention of the whispering crowd. They walked in silence for a while, though Jimin felt almost suffocated by the heavy sadness radiating from Namjoon’s ocean-breeze scent.
“Hyung, thank you for helping,” Jimin said, forcing the difficult words out. “But I guess it really would be better if you stayed away from him.” He said it because he knew for a certainty that Seokjin genuinely wanted nothing to do with Namjoon. It wasn't just old resentment; Seokjin simply didn't have feelings for him. Jimin didn't want either of them to keep hurting like this.
“It’s not that easy,” Namjoon muttered.
Jimin looked up at him softly. “You are a wonderful person. You deserve someone who cherishes you.”
Namjoon stopped suddenly, turning to face Jimin with a deep frown. “Do you think I'm really that bad? Hm? Did I commit such a massive crime? Should I really take this much blame for my father’s actions?”
Jimin sighed. “He believes you should have gone instead. He thinks it was your duty to negotiate the alliance.”
Namjoon scoffed bitterly. “I was too young, and I had absolutely no say in those kinds of matters. I didn’t even know my father was sending him until it was too late.”
Jimin nodded, deciding it was best to be completely honest. “It might have been forgivable if he had feelings for you. Love can overcome almost anything. But Seokjin hyung just doesn't feel that way about you, hyung. You shouldn't push it any longer.”
Namjoon stared at him as if he wanted to argue, but then he simply scoffed and deflated. “You’re right. I should have let go a long time ago.”
The alpha offered a faint smile that didn't reach his eyes, patted Jimin’s arm gently, and walked away into the crowd. Jimin stood there feeling horrible, almost as if he had committed a sin himself. He could only imagine how painful unrequited love must be. But these things could never be forced.
Deciding to give Seokjin and Taehyung a little more time to calm down before trying to find them, Jimin resolved to wait by himself for a little while longer.
He spotted a herbalist's stall at the corner and walked over, examining the plants and immediately recognizing them as his own harvests. Right next to it, a florist's display caught his attention. His eyes instantly locked onto a cluster of vibrant orange flowers—tiger lilies. He gasped, his heart fluttering at the mere sight of them.
He approached the flowers with a wide smile. He actually grew plenty of them in his own garden, looking at them every day to strengthen his faith in life and keep his hope alive. Yet, running into them by coincidence like this always brought a fresh wave of excitement. His eyes then drifted to the arrangement right beside them, where the branches of some white spirea flowers were gently intertwining with the lilies.
A sudden realization hit him. He chuckled softly to himself, wondering how on earth he hadn't figured it out until now. Deep down, he simply knew: the tiger lilies on his skin had to be his soulmate's birth flower. And if he bore his soulmate's birth flower on his own skin, then his own birth flower—a spirea-shaped mark—must be etched onto his soulmate's.
Jimin finally knew exactly what he had to look for: spireas. He loved the way the two flowers looked side by side—one an exotic bloom with bold colors and a striking presence, the other delicate and elegant, yet together they were absolutely breathtaking.
Suddenly, a craving for coffee hit him—he could almost smell it. A deep desire bloomed within him to buy a book, find a quiet spot to sit, and read while sipping a delicious cup of coffee, with tiger lilies and spireas decorating his view. It had been far too long since he had carved out some time for himself.
Excited to turn this idea into reality, he took a step back and spun around quickly, only to slam hard into something solid. Caught completely off guard, he lost his balance and fell flat on his bottom.
He whimpered in pain, his nose flaring as the scent of coffee suddenly grew overpowering. All around him, the air smelled like rich, fresh coffee brewing in a garden on a spring morning, carried by a gentle breeze. He felt his inner omega stir, a sudden, soft warmth washing through him. Because their wolves usually remained quiet until they mated, this sudden awakening felt incredibly strange to Jimin.
Then, a large, calloused hand extended into his field of vision, accompanied by a melodic, deep voice. “Oh, I am so sorry.”
Jimin's eyes flared as he noticed a sleeve of dark black ink covering the stranger's inner arm. The moment he took the offered hand, he was effortlessly pulled to his feet, yet his gaze never left the intricate tattoos. Then he saw it. Nestled between the swirls of black ink was a small pink birthmark.
Jimin gasped, completely losing track of his own footing as his grip on the stranger's hand tightened. His eyes locked onto the mark, desperately trying to process if he was dreaming or awake. It was a spirea.
“Are you okay?”
The deep voice pulled his gaze up, and for the very first time, his eyes met the stranger's. Large, dark doe eyes were staring down at him with genuine worry. Jimin took in the alpha's features: a starkly masculine, perfect face softened by those beautiful eyes, smooth skin, and bow-shaped lips pierced with a lip ring. His heart began to hammer like crazy against his ribs, leaving him completely speechless.
He knew. He had found his soulmate.
The alpha’s free hand came up to gently stroke Jimin's arm, trying to soothe him. “Hey, pup, are you okay?”
Jimin blinked, his cheeks flushing a bright crimson as he finally managed a small nod. The alpha released his hand gently, giving his arm one last reassuring pat. He flashed a warm smile and said, “I’m sorry again,” before walking right past him.
Panic flared in Jimin's chest as he watched the alpha walk away, his eyes glued to the orange shirt growing farther and farther away. His heart felt like it was collapsing, terrified of letting the man go, yet his limbs refused to cooperate. A single, heavy tear escaped his eye and rolled down his cheek. But despite the shock, he felt a wave of pure, overwhelming happiness crash over him. He was the happiest he had ever been in his entire life.
He knew, with absolute certainty, that from this moment on, he was going to be the happiest person alive.
***
Once he finally snapped out of his daze, he looked around frantically. The alpha was already long gone, but Jimin didn't feel sad. He knew with absolute certainty that he would see him again.
He set off to find his hyungs, eventually spotting them watching a dance performance. Seokjin was smiling again, the heavy mood from earlier completely forgotten. Jimin ran up to them, his face radiant. Taehyung gasped in surprise, catching sight of his expression. “What? What is with that look on your face?”
“I found him,” Jimin breathed out, his voice trembling with joy. “My soulmate... I found him.”
The two older omegas stared at him with their mouths wide open before bursting into ecstatic smiles, pulling him into a massive, simultaneous hug.
They quickly separated themselves from the crowd and found a quiet spot to sit under a secluded tree. Seokjin eagerly asked, “Who is he?”
Jimin sighed softly. “I don’t know.”
“Well, where is he now?” Taehyung chimed in.
Jimin pouted a little. “I don’t know.”
Seokjin let out a breath, bewildered. “You didn't even talk to him?”
“I couldn’t,” Jimin said, looking at him with wide, helpless eyes. “I completely froze the moment I saw him.”
“What about him, though?” Taehyung asked, leaning in. “Didn’t he realize?”
Jimin thought back to the alpha's reaction. The stranger hadn't seemed quite as visibly shaken as Jimin had been. “He must have realized, right?” Jimin asked, almost as if convincing himself, before nodding firmly. “Yes, he definitely realized. I think he was just in a big hurry.”
Taehyung nodded determinedly. “Let’s find him then. Let’s go search for him right now.”
Jimin smiled, utterly happy and at peace. “There's no need. I just know we’ll meet again.”
Seokjin smiled gently, a hint of fondness in his eyes. “You place so much faith in destiny.”
“We were made for each other, hyung. We were born into the exact same timeline and the exact same region. Of course it’s going to happen,” Jimin said, completely sure of his fate.
Seokjin’s face fell slightly, a brief shadow of sadness crossing his eyes. “Not everything is so magical, Jiminnie. Sometimes, there are obstacles that go far beyond fate.”
At those words, a sudden chill of unease washed over Jimin, his bright smile faltering. Seokjin noticed the change immediately and quickly forced a warm smile back onto his face, squeezing Jimin's hand. “But it will be that magical for you. You deserve this fairy tale more than anyone.”
Jimin nodded softly. He really did deserve this—he deserved a loving family of his own.
Later that night, Jimin went to the herb hut. He was still far too giddy to sleep. Rummaging through the shelves, he found some spirea seeds and carried them out into the dark garden. He carefully planted them right beside his tiger lilies, watering the soil with a massive smile on his face. He could already feel himself falling in love, completely ready to step into his new, much happier life.
***
He spent the remaining days of the festival with his eyes constantly searching for the alpha. He wasn't disappointed when he didn't see him again; deep in his heart, he knew they would meet again soon. Because of that lingering hope, he took extra care of himself—wearing his cleanest clothes, combing his hair neatly, and making sure he always looked presentable.
By the end of the festival, he finally ran into Mina again. They had somehow managed to miss each other the entire time.
Just as he was about to head to sleep, Mina sneaked inside the house and over to his small sofa. “Hey, where were you?” he asked, as she sitting down close beside him. She grabbed his hands, her eyes shining. “Jimin, I’m getting married.”
imin gasped, his eyes widening in complete surprise. A silent laugh of pure joy escaped him as he looked down and noticed a beautiful gold ring gleaming on her finger. He threw his arms around her, hugging her warmly as happy tears welled in his eyes. He was ecstatic that his cousin had found her happy ending at the exact same time he had found his own spark of hope. “Congratulations! Oh, Mina, you deserve the absolute best. I am so incredibly happy for you.”
Mina pulled back slightly and looked deep into his eyes. “I am so, so happy.”
Jimin could see the absolute truth in her expression. “How did it happen? It's so sudden!” he asked curiously, wondering how things had moved so fast when they had only just met.
“We just know. We were made for each other,” she said with absolute certainty. Jimin chuckled softly; of course, a person just knows when they’ve met the right one.
“Who is he?” he asked, suddenly realizing he still didn't know a single thing about her fiancé.
She glanced around the quiet room to ensure they were alone, then whispered with a massive smile, “Jeon Jungkook.”
Jimin gasped loudly. “Really? The head alpha's son? Oh, Aunt is going to be absolutely thrilled.” He knew all too well that his aunt and uncle had always desired for Mina to mate into wealth, and who could possibly be wealthier or more powerful than the head alpha's son?
Mina nodded excitedly. “I’m going to tell them tomorrow. He wants to come over and meet them officially.”
The next day, Jimin watched from the sidelines as his aunt and uncle wept tears of joy, wrapping Mina in proud, suffocating hugs and praising her for making the perfect choice.
The celebratory mood quickly shifted into a frantic rush. His aunt turned to Jimin, instantly barking out orders to clean the house from top to bottom and to begin preparing a massive, extravagant feast. The Jeon family was coming to their home in just two days.
***
Jimin worked day and night to make the house absolutely spotless, decorating every corner from top to bottom to ensure it was suitable for the Jeons. He prepared the most delicious meals and set a fascinating, elegant table for their arrival. By the time he finished, he was completely exhausted, his cheeks hollow and his eyes swollen from a severe lack of sleep. Yet, he didn't grumble. He was doing all of this for Mina.
Mina wore a gorgeous blue dress that perfectly matched her icy eyes, and she had adorned her crimson hair with beautiful blue flowers. She looked more enchanting than ever before, simply because she was happier than she had ever been.
His aunt glanced at Jimin's shabby attire and sneered, “Go wear something decent. The head alpha will probably want to see how the orphan turns out.”
Jimin didn't let these kinds of comments hurt him anymore; he simply didn't care. Mina, however, glared at her mother and took Jimin's hand. “You can go take something from my wardrobe.”
He thanked her and headed up to her room. He really wasn't in the mood to dress up; an uneasy feeling was settling deep in his chest. For some reason, the unwavering optimism he had carried for days had suddenly faded today. Perhaps it was just the sheer exhaustion catching up to him.
He put on a pair of neat trousers and a simple white tee just to look presentable enough. He was thin enough that her clothes fit him well.
When he heard loud, echoing voices coming from downstairs, he knew the guests had arrived. A sudden wave of nervousness washed over him, which felt incredibly strange. Still, he forced his usual bright smile onto his face, trying to cheer himself up.
As he descended the stairs, he crossed paths with Namjoon at the bottom. They exchanged a slightly awkward smile, remembering the heavy conversation from their last encounter.
“Hi, hyung,” Jimin greeted him softly.
“Hi, Jiminnie. How is it going?” Namjoon replied with his usual warmth.
Jimin took the last step to stand near him. “I’m doing fine. What about you?”
Namjoon shrugged. “I did it. I let it go.”
Jimin raised his eyebrows in surprise. “You did?”
Namjoon nodded. “It isn’t easy, but even if it takes time, you shouldn’t rely entirely on fate or try to force it. There isn’t just one path to happiness, and people can choose different ways to find it. You just have to respect that.”
Jimin didn't fully understand the deeper meaning behind his words, but he didn't like the lingering pain in Namjoon's tone. Trying to change the subject, he nodded toward the garden where the sounds of the gathering were coming from. “I guess we’re becoming relatives.”
Namjoon smiled. “I’ve never seen him like this.” Then, his brow furrowed slightly. “Though, to be fair, I haven't seen him for most of his life.”
Jimin chuckled softly. “I’ve never seen Mina like this either. She’s so deeply in love. She finally found the happiness she deserves.”
Namjoon nodded. “Let’s go join them.”
Jimin gestured for Namjoon to walk ahead of him. As he trailed behind the older alpha, his heart began to hammer nervously against his ribs once more. He looked out into the garden and saw his aunt and uncle talking to Head Alpha Jeon, laughing happily.
Then, like a sudden breeze, the scent of coffee washed over him. He frowned, knowing he hadn't brewed any coffee today, before the realization hit him. This wasn't ordinary coffee; it was that enchanting, earth-combined coffee scent from the festival.
His heart skipped a beat. Namjoon stepped aside, and Jimin’s eyes landed on the tall alpha chatting with Mina.
Their eyes met, and Jimin felt as if a physical fist had slammed into his stomach. Those striking doe eyes belonged to his soulmate. His soulmate was standing right there, entirely too close to his cousin. For a fraction of a second, his mind desperately refused to understand what was happening, but his soul already knew the truth before his thoughts could even process it.
Mina turned to him with a warm smile, extending her hand. “Jiminnie! Come meet your brother-in-law, the love of my life—Jungkook.”
Jimin froze right in front of them, completely at a loss for what to do or say as his entire world crashed down around him.
Jungkook smiled at him brightly. “Hi, Jimin. I’ve heard a lot about you,” he said, his voice smooth and easy, as if this were just an ordinary introduction. As if Jimin were nothing more than Mina's cousin.
Jungkook turned his gaze back to Mina and nodded. “He really is as sweet as you said.” He spoke casually, as if referring to a mere child.
Jimin fought with everything he had to hold back his tears, casting his eyes downward because he couldn't bear for anyone to see his devastation.
“He is so dear to me,” Mina said softly, wrapping her arm lovingly around the alpha’s waist.
Jimin glanced up for a fleeting second, only to see Jungkook looking down at her with stars in his eyes—a look that instantly plunged everything inside Jimin's heart into absolute darkness.