The first time Jungkook learned about mates, was when he was 13. One of his friends in school, a Beta, asked out another classmate, an Omega girl. The girl refused the request, stating that she would rather wait for her mate than involve herself in an affair.

Jungkook was curious as to who a mate was so he asked it from the two. The girl looked as if he was speaking alien language, before explaining the concept about mates and their significance.

She actually couldn't believe that Jungkook didn't knew cause normally parents explain such things when kids come to a certain age, specially for Omegas. It is such an important part of a werewolf's world, one of the few things that separates them from normal humans.

A blessing from moon goddess, of never ending love and companionship from another person. Who wouldn't want something like that in their lives?

Jungkook was silent on the way back home, making Taehyung bit worried too. He asked the younger what's wrong but Jungkook brushed it off, saying he was just tired.

Taehyung believed that excuse and didn't ask for any other explanation. When they reached their homes, Jungkook went straight to his mother, who were busy in the kitchen.

"Mom." Jungkook called his mom and Sonmi turned around in surprise.

"Kookie!" Sonmi exclaimed while stopping her work. "I didn't expect you this early."

"Yeah, I didn't go to hyungie's house today."

One look at Jungkook's face was all Sonmi needed to know that something was bothering him. She washed her hands, wiped them with the serviette and sat next to Jungkook.

"What's wrong, baby? Did something happen?"

Jungkook shook his head at that, lessening some of the worry from Sonmi's mind. He had so many questions to ask but didn't knew where to start.

"Mom." Jungkook spoke up cautiously and Sonmi gave an encouraging smile. "I learned about mates today."

Sonmi's hand flew up to her mouth, while her eyes widened in shock. They knew a day will come when Jungkook ask this question but Sonmi didn't think it would be this soon.

Jungkook first thought that it was just a coincident that his parents didn't tell about mates to him but with his mother's reaction, it was evidently a delibarate attempt. Maybe he should have asked from Taehyung hyungie.

"Baby, where did you hear that?"

Jungkook shrugged his shoulders, trying to pretend it was not a big thing. "From my friends at school."

"Oh.." Sonmi quickly gathered her thoughts. "Well, we didn't think it was that important."

That made Jungkook's eyes widen in surprise. "N-not important?"

"Yeah. I mean it could be good and fun to have a mate but we wanted you to follow your heart more. And you know, love someone for themselves, not because they're your mate."

"Oh.."

"See baby, not everyone find their mate in this world. Some even spends their whole lives without knowing who their true mate is. You have no way of identifying them until you turn twenty. You get their true scent in their human form, which only the mates will be able to detect."

Jungkook nod his head. What his mother said definitely made sense to him. This is what he had heard from his friends too.

"So we didn't want you to spend your life, just waiting for your mate. You need to follow your heart, without having anything or anyone hold you back."

Jungkook looked at his mother's concerned eyes and gave a small smile. He didn't need to worry at all. His parents were doing the best for him, like always.

"Thanks, mom." Jungkook said as he hugged his mother. "You're the best."

"You're welcome, my baby."

_________________________________________

"Hyungie.."

"Hmm?"

Jungkook was sitting on Taehyung's bed while the elder was doing some of his school work on the table.

"Did you knew about mates?"

Taehyung hand froze in mid sentence. He could sense Jungkook's gaze on him so he forced himself to relax and continue what he was doing.

"Mates?" Taehyung answered in a non-interested way, without looking up from his book. "Yeah, I knew."

"Oh." Jungkook's voice sounded little upset. "I didn't."

"Really?" Taehyung still wasn't looking at Jungkook. "I think it's a lot of bullshit though. "

"Huh?"

Taehyung willed himself to have a carefree look in his eyes, before he looked up at the younger.

"Yeah. I mean how is that we are expected to be bound with someone, just because they are our mates? What if they turned out to be complete assholes? Or murderers? Or in my case, a girl?"

"Oh.." Jungkook looked deep in thoughts. "That does make sense."

"Don't think about these things too much, Koo. Just see where life takes you."

"Hmm... okay. I was just curious."

Taehyung gave a nonchalant hum before turning back to his work. He might looked calm and uninterested from out side but there was a storm inside his heart.

He hasn't heard anyone spoke about Jungkook's prophecy after that night and he's sure that both his and Jungkook's parents must be thinking that he had forgotten about it. He was only two years old at that time, after all.

But Taehyung clearly remembers every thing that happened that day. And every single word of that prophecy. It was as if the words had been carved in his memory.

At the age of 15, Taehyung is more knowledgeable about the world than compared to Jungkook, who had been specially sheltered by everyone. Taehyung knows that mate bond is not that easy to ignore. The pull of it will be able to overcome almost anything. And since your mate is the one chosen for you by the moon goddess, there's really no one better for you.

But Taehyung can't say any of that to Jungkook. He doesn't want the younger to even think of the possibility of being with his destined mate. Because, it will only end with Jungkook getting his heart broken.

Taehyung will try to make sure that Jungkook'l never crosses paths with his mate. And by any chance he did, Taehyung will kill Jungkook's mate, whoever they are, even before they have a chance of hurting Jungkook.

Yes, Taehyung need to be the best for he's named as the next head alpha of The back but the main reason for all the training and learning he's doing, is Jungkook's protection.

When the time comes, he will be strong enough to save Jungkook from his predicted death. He will protect his baby, his Koo, no matter what the consequences are.