my Destiny

Chapter 5

He was slipping further inside the abyss. He was slipping further inside the cold embrace of Death.

But he didn't mind, what to expect from a life without his mate anyway? He was cursed on top of having a difficult existence because of his peculiarity as a male Omega. There was nothing that was worth living for anymore. There was nothing that could offer him some comfort in his harsh existence. 

Just let him die in peace.

"Child...it is not your time to go yet.."

His face twitched a bit as heard the extremely sweet voice whisper inside his mind. 

Who was this person?

"Child...you have so much to look for. You have so many beautiful things to look for. It is not over yet. It is not your time to join your ancestors yet."

He didn't understand clearly. What was the voice talking about? He isn't dying? But he was already so far into darkness, he couldn't even feel his body anymore. 

A warm touch was on his cheek and he felt compelled to open his eyes. But a warm palm was on his eyes, gently chiding him and keeping his eyes closed. But the darkness was no longer cold and frightening. 

The warm touch was on his head now, caressing his locks.

"I cannot revoke your curse. It is your destiny. But I can offer you my blessing, dear child. I bless you, pure and innocent soul with the promise of love, of happiness. I promise you will feel warmth and joy. I promise...you shall find your true calling, if you make the right choices."

Taehyung felt weightless, warmth spreading all over his body from his head. Soft lips were on his forehead and he felt a motherly embrace cradle his weak body.

"Although your life may look difficult, I assure you it will be all for a reason. Now go my child. Live happy and be patient. I will protect you from evil."

The last he felt was the delicate touch on his head, threading through his hair. Little by little, warmth left him as he felt propulsed through the void. Before he sunk harshly, opening his eyes and sucking a deep breath of cold air, clawing at the immense pain he felt burning his veins.

The last he saw, was the King's wide and surprised eyes as he took in his wild expression and distressed face.

"Taehyung!"

But he just sobbed, wailing as the King embraced him. 

He was alive.

And his entire body hurts

***

"Here you go, Taehyung. Are you sure you ate your fill?

-Yes Lord Seokjin, I am no longer hungry, thank you for your concern.

-Alright then. Let me call the maids so they can prepare a bath for you."

Seokjin stood up and opened the sliding doors of his office where he was still treating Taehyung. He spoke to the passing maids, ordering them to prepare a bath for the young Omega, before he came back inside, closing the doors to prevent the chilled air from entering and making the boy colder than he is already. The Head Councillor smiled warmly as he sat next to his patient, propelled on several pillows to support his back. Said boy returned the smile with one of his adorable grins. Seokjin chuckled, patting the boy's head as he asked.

"How are you feeling today? 

-Much better, thanks to your capable skills!

-It is my duty as a healer. I am really glad you are better."

Seokjin bent his face closer to inspect his patient's eyes and nodded in satisfaction.

"Your pupils are not as dilated as before, a sure sign of the poison leaving your body. And you are not as pale as before too! 

-It is all thanks to your care. I would have surely passed away if you did not dedicate all your knowledge to helping me get better. I am deeply indebted to you Lord Seokjin.

-Please, it was nothing! You are the one who healed faster than my expectations. I must say that you are quite strong to be able to overcome Silver Aconit.

-I am quite intrigued myself.... I...do not know how I survived…”

Taehyung looked away as he tried to recall the events that happened a week ago, still astonished that he is still alive after nearly knocking on Death's doors.

A week ago, he awoke from his near death experience in the arms of the Pack’s Alpha, sobbing and wailing from shock and sorrow. The thought of his curse frightened him to the core and he mourned the loss of the one thing he was looking forward to ever since he was mature enough to know that each wolf was destined to a soulmate, someone that would share their lives and stick by their sides. 

But then the aftermath of the poison still in his system caused him to scream in pain as his body nearly gave up. The Alpha had shouted for his trusted Healer to do something, Seokjin ushering everyone out as he tried to ease the Omega's pain. Taehyung fought Death during the entire day and night, crying and screaming and clawing, begging for the pain to stop, begging for anyone to put him out of his misery, begging for anyone to have mercy on him. The entire Castle was waiting for some news,  the screams of the poor omega echoing through the entire castle grounds, tension clouding the air as the King refused to leave the Healing House, surrounded by his samurais who were as restless as he is. 

On the sunrise of the second day, Seokjin opened the doors, emerging exhausted and disheveled but smiling widely as he announced that Taehyung would survive. The King's shoulders sagged in relief and ordered a feast for the faithful servants who stood by his side to wait for his Omega. The Castle staff all sighed their relief, the retainers and samurais celebrating the recovery of their King's Prized Possession. The Head Alpha went to visit the young Omega with his Beta and his warrior Hoseok. But all three wolves gasped as they saw the young boy.

He was laying on a futon, looking thinner and frailer than ever, hollowed cheeks and bags under his eyes coupled with pale sickly skin. But it wasn't what shocked the Alpha and his trusted Betas.

It was the boy's hair. The blonde locks were morphed into silver and ash gray in color. 

Yoongi sniffed the air before he growled.

"The scent of Death...is still clinging to him."

Hoseok growled, his eyes set on the fragile boy before he mumbled.

"Are we sure he is alive? Are we even sure he is safe for our King to be in his presence, Death's Hand is still hovering over him!

-Silence Hoseok!"

The booming snarl of the Alpha had the two warriors sink to their knees in respect and submission under the glare of the amber eyes of the King.

"Let us not forget that it was Taehyung who saved you from my wrath. You owe him respect. So you do not talk about him in this way!

-My deepest apologies Milord...I was only concerned for your safety. I beg forgiveness for my shameful behaviour."

At that moment, Taehyung stirred a little, whimpering as he moved his painful limbs. The King hurried to sit next to him, his eyes trained on the stirring form. The Omega opened his eyes and winced as the light blinded him, blinking to adjust his vision. He saw the slightly blurred form of the King's handsome face hovering over him with worry in his eyes. Taehyung smiled weakly and rasped in a voice broken from screams and sobs.

"M-My Ki-ng..."

The Alpha smiled in relief and reached his hand to caress the Omega's forehead.

"You made us worry little one. We thought you were far gone.

-I...am s-sorry for w-worrying y-ou, Your M-Majesty.

-Hush little one. Do not tire yourself."

Taehyung smiled at the kind King before he looked around, seeing the Beta and the samurai standing behind him. He smiled at them too, earning a nod from the intimidating Beta and a grin from the wolf. Seokjin came into his vision, holding a cup of warm water. The Omega sighed in relief as he tried to sit in order to drink and soothe his aching throat. 

That's when he froze, realising something was very wrong.

He blinked as he tried to sit up, the king looking confusedly at him.

"Is something wrong?"

Taehyung rose on his elbows, straining to breathe properly as his eyes widened from shock. Seokjin was next to him in no time as he asked calmly, trying to soothe the Omega.

"What is it? Taehyung are you feeling pain somewhere?"

The Omega looked at his lap as he seemed to be mortified. He looked up to meet the worried eyes of the healer before he whispered in a terrified tone.

"I...my legs...I cannot...feel my legs..."

The healer looked alarmed before he tugged the corner of the blanket away to examine the boy's legs. They looked normal to him so he moved the white sleeping robe a little bit, gasping when he saw the boy's knees and thighs.

A ring of intricate black lines, veins of tribal design, circled the boy's knees and a little up toward his thighs, like the end of a stocking. 

"Unbelievable..."

Seokjin looked at the king, astonishment painting their faces as they stared at the weird tattoo-like rings. The healer poked the lines, observing if a reaction could be coaxed out of the boy.

"Can you feel my touch?"

Taehyung bit his lip, tears forming in his blue eyes as he shook his head negatively. The healer tried pinching him, pressing harder on his legs, even going as far as dragging his nails a little on the skin but to no avail.

Taehyung lost his legs.

The Omega spent his day crying as he tried to move his feet and his legs with no success. He sobbed as he collapsed on the pillows, no word able to console him. In the span of one day he lost his legs, his mate, the color of his hair and apparently a big portion of his health.

What else could be robbed of him? What else could he still stand to lose? 

The Alpha ordered his trusted Beta to guard the Healing House and to allow no one entry there. Taehyung needed time to rest and the shock of his loss was immense on him. Yoongi reassured his King that no harm shall befall the young boy, a squad of his strongest samurai were standing guard on high alert, some of them shifting to their wolf form and pattroling around the grounds. 

Seokjin stuck next to the small Omega, trying to calm him and soothe his pain, some traces of poison still in his body. He succeeded to an extent actually, the boy stopped crying and accepted to eat a little. 

And that was how he was still in Soekjin's office. The kind man was the one he is most familiar with, warming up to him and associating him with a feeling of security and warmth. Seokjin will take care of him. He won't let him be harmed again. 

The healer came to sit next to his patient, smiling at him.

"The bath will be ready in a few minutes. 

-Thank you Milord. I am so sorry to trouble you with the burden of taking care of me.

-Nonsense! I like taking care of you, child. It feels like I am looking after my own child. 

-It is an honor to be compared to your child Milord. I do not deserve such kindness.

-No Taehyung, you deserve everything in this world. I would have been honored to have a child like you."

Taehyung smiled in gratitude, feeling happiness bubble in his chest at the kind words. He didn't have a family, having grown in the village as an orphan after being told that his mother abandoned him when he was still an infant. The villagers weren't particularly nice to him but they tolerated him to a certain extent, having grown in the care of a priestess who used to live in a hut near the village. But once she passed away, he was on his own. He had been eight years old back then and he learned how to survive on meek food that some kind villagers offered him from time to time. 

But he had never known the warmth of a parent and he had always felt envious of the villagers' children who got to live with their parents and got to be pampered with love and affection. So hearing the Head Councillor say that he wished to have a child like him was really nice and gave him a deep sense of satisfaction. The young omega smiled shyly before he asked in a small voice.

"If it is not rude to ask...

-Ask anything Taehyung, never hesitate to ask me whatever in your mind.

-Thank you Milord. I was wondering if you do in fact have children?

-I understand your curiosity, do not worry. And to answer your question, yes I do indeed have one child."

Seokjin smiled tenderly as he stared into nothingness, seemingly reminiscent about his child. 

"I am lucky to be blessed by an adorable little girl. My late mate gifted her to me before sadly passing away two years ago. 

-Oh...I...I am so sorry for your loss Milord!

-Thank you for your sympathy. I...would not want anyone to feel the pain of losing a mate..."

Taehyung looked away, biting his lip so he won't show the older man his distress. He couldn't blame Seokjin though, he didn't know that the young boy was already familiar with that particular feeling of loss. No one knew he was cursed to never meet his mate. He couldn't bring himself to confide in Seokjin no matter how much trust he felt toward the healer, it was a very private thing and just thinking about it brought tears to his eyes. 

So he gulped his emotions down and tried to change the subject.

"Would it be too much if I wish to meet your daughter Milord?

-Of course not! I will visit you with my daughter next time . I am very sure she will love you.

-You flatter me too much, Milord! 

-It is the absolute truth. So we have to hurry up and get you healed quickly so you can meet my daughter soon."

Taehyung giggled as the healer patted his hair reassuringly. He felt like a child under the care and kindness of the older man and he relished in the feeling of having a parent figure. 

The door was slided open slightly, revealing a nurse kneeling in respect as she asked.

"Sorry to interrupt you Milord. But Lord Yoongi is outside asking for permission to come in.

-Do please let him in."

The nurse bowed and closed the door. Seokjin arranged the pillows to make his patient as comfortable as ever as the doors opened again and in came the intimidating Beta, his dark eyes going to stare at the Omega who immediately shrunk, feeling the need to make himself smaller than his already small size. The warrior bowed to the Councillor and said in his deep tone.

"Thank you for granting me permission to enter Milord.

-No need to thank me Lord Yoongi. How may I be of help?

-I am here for Lord Taehyung actually."

Taehyung blinked in surprise. He didn't expect the intimidating Yoongi to come here to see him, calling him 'Lord' and all. It was foreign to him but he hurried to answer the warrior.

"H-How can I help you Milord?

-I was tasked by His Majesty to help you get to your quarters Milord. In addition I wished to introduce the two samurais that will be under your service for today on.

-I...I see..."

The young boy looked down to his hands resting on his lap. He felt the dead weight of his legs under the heavy blanket which sent a pang of pain in his heart whenever he remembered he won't ever be able to stand and walk on his own. 

It seems Yoongi guessed his distress because he kneeled right next to him and carried on in a gentler tone.

"I will try to be quick in transporting you to your quarters Milord. It is quite cold outside and we certainly do not want you to fall sick.

-Th-thank you Lord Yoongi. You are very kind to me.

-No need to thank me Your Grace. It is my duty to concern myself with your safety from now on."

Taehyung smiled shyly, receiving a small smile in return. His attention was snapped on the healer who came back in the room holding a heavy dark burgendy haori.

"You should cover up with this, Taehyung. I would not allow you to go out in only a thin sleeping robe. 

-Thank you Milord. Your concern honors me.

-It is nothing, dear child. Now let us get you covered up appropriately so Lord Yoongi can bring you to your quarters. I think the maids have the bath ready for your use too."

The healer tugged the blanket away, revealing the frail body of the young Omega clad in a thin white sleeping robe. Said boy shivered as the warm blanket left him to the cold air and hurried to hug himself in an effort to keep some warmth. Seokjin hurried to cover his shoulders with the heavy haori, helping the boy into wearing it even though it was too big on him as he looked lost inside it. The sight was so adorable though, as Taehyung tugged on the sleeves with his fingers in an effort to not look as small as he looked. Seokjin chuckled and he tied the haori strands to wrap around the Omega's thin body. 

"There, at least you would not freeze in the cold. Anyway I will come visit you later to make sure you will be comfortable."

Yoongi bent to lift the boy, putting one hand on the small of his back and mumbling in his usual stern tone.

"Place your arm around my neck. So that you would not fall.

-R-Right..."

Taehyung felt his blood rushing to his face as he placed his arm around the intimidating Beta's neck. In a second he was already in the air, yelping and clinging to the warrior's kimono in fear of falling. He heard Seokjin laughing and he felt embarrassed by his ridiculous behavior, bowing his head to hide his blush. Yoongi tightened his arm around the Omega's back and underneath his knees, keeping a neutral expression and not commenting on the boy's embarrassment. He exited the Healing House, hearing Seokjin telling them he would join them shortly after he sorts some of the medicinal herbs he was preparing for the boy. So Yoongi shrugged and strolled through the Castle's inner grounds toward the quarters that the King had ordered to be prepared specifically for his newest addition to the Harem.

It was windy outside, although the Beta didn't even mind as he didn't feel bothered by the increasing cold. His body temperature was always higher than a normal human, his wolf warming him up and keeping him protected from cold. He could sometimes half morph into his wolf form, letting his back and arms be covered in the luscious grey fur of his wolf if he was really feeling cold. But strangely though, he was feeling warmer from the proximity of the small body in his arms. He focused on walking ahead, his dark eyes refusing to meet the blue ones of the small Omega and refusing to even acknowledge the presence of said boy too close to himself. 

However, he couldn't ignore the shivers that racked the boy's body as he clung to the front of his kimono. He risked a glance toward him and found the boy's teeth nearly clattering together as he curled into himself in an effort to keep himself warm. Yoongi found the sight endearing but didn't want to acknowledge it so he asked in an indifferent tone.

"Cold already?

-I-I am s-sorry to b-bother you Milord. 

-No need to apologise. Omegas are very sensitive to cold weathers after all. Although...I thought Lord Seokjin's Haori would suffice to keep you warm.

-It...It happens a-all the t-times..."

Yoongi glanced down, meeting the omega's mesmerising blue eyes. He felt his inner wolf growling in appreciation and he breathed deeply to settle the raging sensations coursing through his body. 

It didn't help that his nose was filled with the Omega's sweet scent.

"A-Are you a-alright Milord?"

Heavens, the boy's voice sounded so small, so submissive that he couldn't help the slight growl to escape his throat. He even felt his eyes morphing into the amber color of his wolf and he stopped in his tracks, taking some minutes to calm down, counting backward before he opened his eyes after feeling calm enough. He glanced at the curious wide eyes of the smaller boy before he mumbled.

"You are still young, your wolf is not mature enough yet.

-Wh-What....

-Your scent is not as strong as how a mature Omega is. Although you are indeed beautiful, it is not yet the full out mesmerising beauty that your kind is famed for.

-I...I do not un-understand..."

Yoongi looked fully into the frightened boy's eyes before whispering.

"And yet...the only thought that goes into my mind is how madly I wish to sink my fangs into your neck, marking you and claiming you as mine. You have no idea how much my wolf is restless just from your close proximity..."