A Pack's Price

Chapter 73: Breaking Point

So i decided to give another update before finals~ don't hate me lol

I think this will be one of the most dramatic chapters yet, so I'll be adding new tags. Please read this chapter with caution, tw; suicidal thoughts, depression, minor character death... that sort of thing.

I'll see all of you again after finals!

Namjoon was a lot of Jin's firsts, in a strange way. Jin had a painted image of an alpha thanks to Junho and his father. He was terrified of alphas, yet Namjoon came into his life and now he clings to him, never wanting to let go.

Jin had imagined his life would turn out so differently. He had been prepared to be caught by his old pack and probably tortured and made to birth pups. He was even prepared to be taken into another pack, and have his life with Junho and his father repeated.

But instead, by some miracle, it was Namjoon's pack that took him in. Namjoon, who treated his omegas as equals, who never raised a hand to them and rarely used an alpha voice on them. Here, omegas had a choice of who to spend their heats with. Jin was free to love whomever he chooses. It was a stark contrast to his old life.

He should be happy here. He had been happy, being with Namjoon and his pack, but he couldn't escape his past.

Junho never bit him, nor knotted him, but somehow, he had managed to claim Jin as his.

It was in the scars Jin bared, nearly every bit of skin once having been a canvas that Junho marked up, reminding Jin of the fact that he had been there first.

Jin wondered why someone like Namjoon, who was strong and capable, who was at the top whereas Jin was scrounging at the bottom, would want him. Why would an alpha want an omega as damaged as him? What made Namjoon want to take in an omega on the verge of death? Namjoon assured Jin numerous times that he loved him, but it was still hard for Jin to understand. Maybe Namjoon would never be able to answer that for him.

And Jin was hurting, because of his thoughts on his and Namjoon's pups. Somehow, he couldn't help but feel as though they were Junho's too. That despite being mated and claimed by Namjoon, everything left of Jin was scraps that Junho had left. Including the pups, and it sickened him.

He opened his eyes to see Namjoon talking to him, but he couldn't hear what was being said. It was painful, and everything was getting to be too much. He cried, hot tears running down his cheeks that Namjoon quickly kissed away. He squeezed the alpha's hand tightly, but even that brought little relief and comfort.

"Oh god-!" Jin gasped as pain shot through him, his stomach constricting so much that he couldn't breathe.

"You're going to be fine, Jin. Our pups are finally going to be here, and I'll be with you through all of it. I won't leave your side." Namjoon whispered, kissing his cheek.

Jin cried out, the pain unbearable.

The omegas were always such a joy to watch. Hoseok and Jungkook couldn't help but coo at the two as they cuddled up to one another with the pups. Jimin was extremely affectionate with them, and peppered Daehan's face with soft kisses, giggling when the pup made small baby noises in return.

Taehyung was practically purring as he nuzzled into Jimin's neck. He's only been around alphas the past few days, and he was thoroughly enjoying the sweet smell Jimin emitted. Junghwa gurgled and squeaked as he was cradled close to Taehyung's chest.

The omegas had been doing this close to an hour now, and although both Jungkook and Hoseok were just itching to have the pups in their arms again, they truly appreciated the sight.