Chapter Text
It was some years ago, when the world still had no idea how things could be, that humans and wolves were separated by the government, and till today, nobody knows exactly what made this happen, and probably will never know.
Jungkook plays worried inside of the car as nobody is saying a word to him, nobody has explained anything since the moment he got inside. He knows he can go back home whenever he wants to, but also, it was his choice to be there in the first place so, whatever happens, happens. And it’s not like they have to explain anything to him right now, he had read the papers beforehand, he knew what all of this was about so if he’s still there, that’s all his choice.
There was nothing left for him behind. His family was gone, he had no money, no jobs and the world made sure to not open the doors for him in the first place. This was his new beginning - as weird as it could be - but it was also his end because if this doesn’t work out, he knows he will be done forever.
The windows are dark and don't show much of the outside. It’s been hours since he has left the airport and still the car keeps going and going nonstop. The urge to turn back and run away is strong but still he stays planted where he is. There are no places he could go anyways. This is his life now, this is where he is supposed to be.
“We are almost there.” The man inside the car comments - PD something, Jungkook thinks. “The director alpha Namjoon will be waiting for you and you will be located in a place where you can finally choose. I know you have analyzed the entire place already but at least from there you can get a better look at the packs and make your choice from that. Is that alright?”
Jungkook sinks on his seat.
“Isn’t this alpha Namjoon one of the members of one of those packs though?“ He bites his lips nervously. “This should be something impartial.”
The man in front of him doesn’t seem impressed by his words.
“Kim Namjoon didn’t want to allow new members in his pack in the first place, just so you know that. We asked him to do it and give a choice to the humans because his pack is considered one of the best in this facility. You don’t have to choose them just because he will be your first contact there, Jungkook, but listen to what i’m going to say, if i was you, i would choose him anyways.”
Jungkook opens his mouth to speak but closes right away. What does it mean to be the best pack? Are the other packs bad?
“Am I the first human here?”
“You’re not.” The man stares directly at him. “You’re the third human to choose the Korean facility and this program has been working well so far.”
“Didn’t they choose Namjoon’s pack before?” He questions curiously.
“He hasn’t opened his pack before, this is the first time he has and he said it will be the last. He allowed his facility to be part of the program even with all the risk that comes with it, but he doesn’t want to put his pack in the middle of that so he said he is opening only once.” The last words are said with a warning, an explicit warning of what Jungkook should do.
He breaks eye contact and focuses on the dark windows again. The man keeps quiet for the rest of their driving and Jungkook’s heart starts beating faster the closer they get to the place.
Every facility is hidden in the back of every country and as far away from humanity as they can. There isn’t a contact or ways for humans to get in unless the government suddenly approves. When humans tried to get in before, they were beaten and found dead. When wolves tried to break out to try and live in the middle of humans, they were beaten and found dead. This is the law of the world now, no humans live in the middle of wolves and no wolves live in the middle of humans - or at least this is how it should be.
When the program came out to the world Jungkook felt impressed but also surprised with the situation. It seemed like they had lost their mind to be proposing something like that. In what world would they want humans and wolves to have their way together? They were separated from each other before for a reason. Even though, the news had broken up all over the world, and with a limited number of volunteers, it didn’t seem like people would ever have the courage to try something like that. If you wanted to be part of the program, you needed to pass a lot of tests before anything, and only then you would be the chosen one to get inside.
Every human that chooses to be part of the program can get out at any moment, but also, they need to find a good explanation for that. This is a big program, with a lot of investment, so any kind of information could help with future failures. One of the rules then was: if you want to leave, you have to be specific about why this has happened in the first place.
Every facility has at least ten packs, and five of them needed to vote and agree to be part of the program first. This is a big risk, mixing humans and wolves together - even more when there are alphas in the middle of that.
Alphas are known for being possessive and authoritarian, so imagine how things would be when humans - men to be more specific - decided they were the ones who needed to own the place. This wouldn’t work at all. This is also why women were the first ones to be accepted in the tests and only after five months where they have succeeded in the subject, they allowed men to also get in.
Jungkook had no idea he would get accepted for that, and to be completely honest, he had only signed because he had nowhere else he could be. He took the first test and passed right away, called for the next ones and was successfully accepted in all of them. At the last one, they gave him the news saying he got inside, and he needed an entire week just to make his mind understand this was his new reality. He also could have denied getting in, of course, he is not obligated to go there or stay in the program, but the necessity to run away immediately got the best of him, so here he is right now. In front of the gates, and ready to get inside.
The gate is so big in front of him that he wonders how in the world humans had tried to get inside in the first place. He can’t see shit from inside as everything is closed off but he for sure hears steps going from side to side on the other side of the place - guards probably. No, alpha guards.
He shifts from one foot to the other in a nervous way while waiting, the man from the car is by his side, but his presence is not reassuring Jungkook in any way.
The gate gives a small thunk and is suddenly opening in front of him, the big thing going back and showing a lot from inside the more it opens in front of his eyes. Jungkook’s mouth opens widely, his body turning into itself trying to be as small as he can, hands shaking while he watches everything without moving, there is no going back now.
The man by his side also moves in an awkward way, probably not happy to be there either, and both stay silent as another man walks from inside until he’s right there in front of them.
Kim Namjoon. This is Kim Namjoon, Jungkook remembers from the videos he was sent from before.
The first thing that happened before he was accepted, was the videos sent to his email asking for him to choose. A video from every facility that was in the program, from every country who got inside and from every pack that was part of this. He had watched for days, wondering if he should choose a new environment or just stick to his country and try the easier way. He chose Korea because it was easier though. Besides having to get used to a new place, he would also have to learn another language if he had chosen to move out of there.
He had opened the korean file, watched the videos and presentations from inside, and Kim Namjoon was the first familiar face he had seen there.
He was an alpha, the director and basically the owner of this entire facility. Coming from generations of being the commander of the place, he had his own pack - Bangtan - with other five members and him as the big alpha and leader. They had only two omegas in the pack, and Jungkook wondered how in the world they made that work.
Jungkook didn’t know much about wolves anyways, and didn’t search either just to get in. He hadn’t learned before, so why would he do it now?
His intention was only one in the first place - not to be in the middle of other’s business, work as much as he could, and have a nice bed to sleep at the end of every day. He wasn’t going there to make friends, to fight with alphas for a high place in the community, and definitely not going to find a relationship either - as if that was even possible anyway.
He had watched the videos, the packs - a big focus on Namjoon’s pack, he can't deny that, and realized the place wasn’t so bad. There were scary packs though, the ones made by big and strong alphas, the ones where each of them owned an omega, the traditional ones. There were also the women packs, only with girls allowed and he wondered if a human would be allowed to get in at some point. He had no idea that there existed women alphas in the first place - he had a lot to learn, that was the truth.
Then there was Namjoon’s pack, calling for his attention the entire time and making all the others to keep hidden behind in the back of his mind.
Namjoon was the big alpha and leader of his pack - besides being the big alpha and leader of the entire facility. Everything that happened needed to pass through his hands before, even the process of allowing a human inside, this meaning Jungkook was also chosen by the alpha to be there in the first place.
There were another three alphas in his pack - Min Yoongi, Jung Hoseok and Kim Taehyung, and then the only two omegas being Kim Seokjin and Park Jimin.
Jungkook remembered all of their faces and names because he was going there with a choice in his head already, he had chosen before he left his house that day, so imagine his surprise when the man in the car - Mr. Bang - had said Namjoon only allowed someone inside of his pack this time. What would have he done if he couldn’t choose them when he got there? Probably go back home where he didn’t have anything.
“Good morning, Bang-ssi, it’s nice to see you again.” Namjoon bows politely, eyes completely focused on the man by Jungkook’s side.
“Nice to see you too, Namjoon.” He doesn’t bow back and Jungkook frowns in place. “This is Jungkook as we have talked on the phone before.” He points at his figure, and Jungkook feels himself shrinking back when the alpha's eyes focus on him.
“Good morning, Jungkook-ssi.” The alpha bows in his direction, a small smile with dimples showing up on his face. “It's nice to finally meet you. I’m Kim Namjoon.”
“I know.” Jungkook answers fast, and flinches at his words.
The alpha smiles anyways, amused eyes still focused on him.
“I wasn’t sure if you were coming, the signed files only came at the last minute.” The comment is curious and Jungkook looks sideways to the man by his side. Namjoon seems to catch the motion. “But well, we can talk about that inside, can’t we?” He moves on. “Is this all Mr. Bang? I can keep going from here on.”
“I think I can go in with Jungkook until he decides where he wants to stay, he made a comment about impartiality a second ago in the car, and—“
“It’s—“ Jungkook cuts him off awkwardly. “It’s not really necessary. I can choose from now on and—“ He looks at Namjoon. “Any questions I have I can ask Namjoon-ssi.” There’s a pleading in his voice and Namjoon catches again without him needing to say anything.
Namjoon still stares at him a little longer, evaluating his face, before agreeing with his head.
“Exactly, we have all in control here, Mr. Bang. Shall we keep going, Jungkook-ssi?” And before Mr. Bang can say anything, Namjoon signs for someone to take Jungkook’s bags from inside the car and the next moment the gates are already closing behind his back.
Jungkook has no idea what changed the second Namjoon stood right there in front of him, but the urge to run away from the only person that could take him away from there got really strong. He wasn’t feeling comfortable around Mr. Bang anymore - as it always happened when Jungkook was around a government agent.
Namjoon doesn't comment on the subject for a while when they finally get in.
A small car is waiting for them - Jungkook gets surprised at that. Apparently the front of the place is far away from the actual facility, so it would take a while to get in if they were going to walk there, Namjoon explains when Jungkook finally has the courage to ask, laughing amused as the young human doesn’t know how alphas can actually drive.
Namjoon is also very kind, keeping his distance and allowing Jungkook to adjust in his own way and without saying anything if not asked about.
They are in the middle of their small walk to the car when he finally addresses the human by his own choice.
“Did Mr. Bang do something to make you uncomfortable, Jungkook-ssi? You seemed like you were ready to run away from there.” His voice is careful but with a serious tone behind his words, as if what Jungkook was going to say was really important for him.
Jungkook looks up, eyes wide and focusing on the alpha, not really expecting to be addressed about the subject.
“Hm, not— not really, I just, I just wanted to make my own decisions once I got inside, and at the car—“ He clears his throat. Namjoon frowns. “In the car he kind of made an explicit remark of what I should choose, I guess. I just wanted to be more comfortable, I'm sorry.“ He whispers at the end.
“There is nothing you should apologize for.“ Namjoon immediately replies. “This shouldn't have happened in the first place, I'll make sure the responsibles for sending him here knows about—“
“Oh no,“ Jungkook almost jumps in. “I don't want to make a big deal of that, please Namjoon-ssi, this is not the case, please I don't want to cause any trouble I—“
“Hey,“ Namjoon takes his hands and Jungkook flinches away. The alpha pulls back, eyes wide. “I'm really sorry.” He lifts his hands up. “I won't say a word if you don't want that, Jungkook-ssi, but the humans who come here shouldn't be pressured to choose something because of someone. You already chose our facility, and now it is your choice to be part of this place in the way you want. We have a lot of different packs here and you can be part of whichever you want, he shouldn't have a voice on that.“ His voice is strong and he's still frowning while he says the words.
Jungkook sighs.
“He didn't— he didn't really have an influence on me anyways, it's okay. I have chosen my pack already, but still,“ He gulps down and looks for the best way to say. “I just think he shouldn't give his opinion on that, even if he wasn't rude or anything. I don't want you to do something about it, at least not for me, but in the future, this could be a problem, Namjoon-ssi. It really could.“
Namjoon watches him in place for a second, absorbing his words. He doesn't say a word after that, but his eyes keep finding Jungkook still, until they are finally in front of the big facility complex.
Jungkook had an idea this place would be huge - ten packs per complex is a fucking big deal - but he had no idea how big it would be. This is basically a city in front of him.
The car had parked in front of a small gate that led inside of a huge complex, the kind of place you wouldn't think wolves could live. There are houses here, some on either side, and a big street that Jungkook loses sight of with no ending to be seen. Each house is made differently - probably for each pack - and as much as the furniture isn't made like humans do, still the place looks like a high class neighborhood of the real world.
Jungkook knows he's making a fool of himself while watching the place, but he can't close his mouth and take away the look of surprise from his face. This is why humans aren't allowed inside. If they knew how great the wolf community is, they would drop probably everything right there and try to move in here at any time.
Namjoon doesn't say a word to Jungkook, watching him from afar, allowing the young human to evaluate the place, to get used to the surroundings, to the village and community he will be living in from now on. This particular human, the first man to get inside and being able to have Namjoon’s pack as a choice, one of those he knew wouldn't try to take an alpha’s place, something that would cause a big commotion inside.
“Did you like it?“ Namjoon brings him back to the present and Jungkook blinks, focusing on the alpha again.
“This is huge. “ He replies excited, and the alpha can't hold back a smile.
“It's bigger inside.“ He walks closer and brings Jungkook's bags in one hand. “We can have a tour later if you want, Jungkook-ssi, but for now, we should get inside as you have to choose your—“
“I want yours.“ Jungkook replies, eyes still wide and back focused on the big houses in front of him.
Namjoon pauses, hands in the air, eyes focused on the young human in front of him.
“What did you just say?“ He asks calmly, trying to make sure he heard correctly.
Jungkook frowns, seeming to realize that whatever he said had come outloud, and now there is no coming back from that.
“Hm,“ He looks up and finds the courage to say what he really wants. At least in this new place, for the first time in his life, he wants to do and he wants to say what he really wants to say. “I want to be part of your pack Namjoon-ssi. I came here with this in my mind already. I don't want to see the others, or talk to them or know their packs. I have chosen yours before coming here, and as long as you will have me, this is the only place I want to be. You can send me back to my house if this is not the case though, because the bangtan pack is the only pack I want to be part of, the only one.“ He finishes with conviction and waits with hope for the best.
And the alpha doesn’t say a word.
The alpha doesn’t say a word for minutes, he doesn’t say a word for what feels like hours inside of Jungkook’s head, and the human is ready to get his things from the alpha’s hands, sit back on the car and go back to his terrible life when he finally seems to get out of his trance to speak.
“You want to be part of my pack.” He comments, not a question, just stating what Jungkook had said. Just making sure again.
Jungkook agrees with his head.
“And you don’t want to see the others, talk to the others or meet the other’s alphas so they can try to get you in their own packs.” He states again and waits for Jungkook to agree.
“Yes.” Jungkook agrees again with his head.
“And you had chosen this before coming here today, leaving your house to be here just to be part of my pack?” This time it comes out as a question and again Jungkook agrees with his head.
He’s starting to feel nervous about that. What if Namjoon doesn’t want him in his pack? What if he’s asking all those questions and had allowed someone in his pack just because he thought Jungkook wasn’t going to choose him.
“You still can send me home, though. It’s not like,” He shifts uncomfortably. “It’s not like you have to accept me, you know.”
“No .” Namjoon almost screams, scaring Jungkook who takes a step back. “I’m sorry, shit.” He laughs. “I’m sorry, Jungkook-ssi, this is just— wow. This is so funny.” He finally says and Jungkook frowns.
“Funny?” He questions, worried.
What could be funny in all of that?
“God,” The alpha shifts around, hands touching his neck in a very awkward way. “This is coming out in a weird way, I’m really sorry, okay.” He then pauses, breathing in and out and finally turns his body completely to Jungkook, eyes focused on his figure. “You are not the first human in our facility, you might know that.” He begins.
Jungkook agrees with his head again.
“Right, so, when we were asked to be part of the program I kind of wanted to deny. This is a very dangerous thing to get yourself in and it brings a lot of risk to my facility, but even with my thoughts, still the packs had to vote and had their own decision if they would get in. More than five packs have voted yes, so I had no choice of just turning part of the program, but still, I tried to keep my own pack away from this. When the first human came some months ago, we saw the volunteers and I didn’t want any of them on my pack and my members didn’t like them either so I didn’t sign the papers to be part of the choices, the government didn’t like that at all. The second human was the same, I saw the volunteers and still we chose not to be part of this, and the government wasn’t happy again. I got a warning about that, I should sign at least once for the program and I almost had to fight about this entire situation with them. I didn’t want anyone inside, my pack is complete and we are very happy living this way. If something happened to the human, they would suffer the consequences, and I never would have wanted that for them, this is not what I want still.”
Jungkook listens to everything with attention, eyes wide and very surprised with the honesty of the leader alpha directed to his person.
“But then, we received the papers for the next humans who had passed the tests and your name was right there. We watched your videos, we learned about you and it kind of was unanimous when everyone in the pack agreed that if it had to be someone, it should be you. We signed for the papers and you won to be here, and now, before knowing any of us you already chose our pack.” He laughs. “So yes, It is funny to me, Jungkook-ssi, that you want to be part of our pack when you could have chosen anyone else here, and we want you to be part of our pack as the only human we would want to get in.”
And then Jungkook understands. ‘Oh’ - he thinks. They want him to get in. They wanted him to be part of their pack and they also had chosen him in the first place even before he had even been there. They have chosen him .
The young human had no idea if this information was a good thing or bad thing, if they would work out together or not, but still, there is no coming back right now. He needs to stay, even more after this information and as he has no other place to go, as he is determined to stay here no matter what, and apparently, he already has a pack for himself if he wants, with a leader and an alpha that had chosen him before he even got there. If this wasn’t a sign he had no idea what it was.
He doesn’t know if this is some kind of destiny or not, but for the first time in his life, Jungkook had the opportunity to make choices - and he would make the best of that, he sure would.
“Are you saying I can stay in your pack then?” He asks expectantly.
Namjoon then sighs in front of him.
“Unfortunately not, Jungkook-ssi.”
“W—what?” He almost panics in front of Namjoon. Did he understand this wrongly then?
“Wait, no, fuck.” The alpha gives a step closer and Jungkook takes a step back. “Shit, I have no idea why I'm the leader here. I—“
“Namjoon?” A voice calls from closer and Jungkook turns around to see another man walking in their direction and out of the gate - a very handsome man. “What is taking you so long? Everyone is waiting inside for the human to choose.”
Namjoon seems relieved to see the man right there, shoulders finally dropping, all the tension going away.
“Ah, Seokjin hyung, you’re here, please come help me with this.”
The man looks concerned at Namjoon but the moment he spots Jungkook a big smile shows up on his face and the entire environment seems to change. Jungkook also relaxes a little.
“Good morning, sweetie, you might be Jungkook-ssi. It’s nice to meet you, I’m Kim Seokjin.” He bows politely and Jungkook does the same.
“Just Jungkook is fine.” He catches himself saying.
Seokjin shares a small look with Namjoon before turning back to him and smiling again.
“We should be inside by now, Namjoonie. What is going on here?” He tries to sound nonchalant, but Jungkook can see the tension behind his words. He has barely got there and is already causing problems.
“I’m sorry, Seokjin-ssi,” He apologizes himself, before Namjoon can say anything. “I was just telling Namjoon-ssi that I had chosen my pack before we even got here, and I think I caused a situation with that, but we can—“
“No, no.” Namjoon cuts him off. “This is not the case at all, Jungkook-ssi.” He then turns to Seokjin, pleading eyes asking for help. “Hyung, Jungkook-ssi here wants to be part of our pack, and he had decided before getting here.” He says with small words. “I was trying to say that we also had an unanimous agreement to have him in but, well, we also can’t have him like this.”
Seokjin keeps his eyes on Namjoon a second longer trying to understand what actually happened, a small conversation happening only with their eyes, and then he turns back at Jungkook, a small smile planted on his lips.
“Forgive our Namjoonie here, Jungkook-ssi, he can be very good with words sometimes, but also, he can really fuck it up with other things.” He finishes saying, voice fond. “What he was actually trying to say is that yes, you can be part of our pack and we will be more than happy for that, but you only can do if you get inside and say that in front of the others, this is the rule here.”
And then Jungkook finally understands, and Namjoon sighs in relief behind the other man’s back.
“So I just have to get inside and say whatever I want?” He questions to make sure he has finally understood correctly.
Both of them agree with the head.
“Alright then, we can get in.” He answers.
And both men finally smile at him.
Jungkook finally has his choice to do, his next moment in life, his future is finally in his hands - and he’s ready to take whatever he wants.