88

Jungkook

From the corner of my eyes, I saw the guys hugging Taehyung, there were a few punches and then laughter.

Taehyung came back to my side, we stood together watching everyone celebrating our love. I even saw Hae-jin and Seung-won standing in a corner watching us from afar, I waved, and they smiled back.

When calm finally settled around us, I saw Seokjin, Namjoon and Hoseok walking toward me. They stopped just a few feet away, facing me as they stood in a line. Behind them, I saw several of Taehyung's men crowding closer.

The atmosphere suddenly shifted, the air feeling somewhat deadly and cold. The look of determination on their faces confused me. I hadn't noticed Jimin like this before, he walked forward. He came to stand beside Hoseok, taking the front with Taehyung's most trusted men.

A shiver ran down my spine when I saw them take out a small knife held in their hands. I looked up at Taehyung, he only looked proud. His eyes held mine for a moment before he leaned down for a kiss.

"Now, you are their King too," he whispered in my ear before pulling away.

"What's going on?" I asked curiously.

The four of them took a step forward without a word. My heart hammered in my chest when they took their next step. I licked my lips nervously, waiting, they knelt on one knee.

The men behind followed suit, bowing their heads.

In respect.

"Oh no! What are you doing? Please stand up," I quickly said.

I looked at Taehyung for help, but he shook his head.

"Let them do this, Jungkook. It's a ritual they all hold very close," he explained, nodding toward the men.

I saw Hae-sook had tears in her eyes, smiling. Seokjin held the dagger to his right palm. I could see it wasn't a normal dagger as there were red

crystals around the handle. A prominent emblem was on the blade, his head came up, his darkened eyes meeting mine, then he spoke.

His voice was deep and strong as he recited what seemed like a vow as I saw him press the blade into his palm. My eyes followed the trace of blood, my heart hammering faster and harder in my chest.

I felt Taehyung at my back, he wrapped his arms around me, his warm breath tickled my ear.

"I vow to protect you. As your warrior, my life is yours. I bleed for you. Your life before mine. In every sense, you are my King. With this blood, I make this vow."

When Seokjin was done, Namjoon made a similar cut in his palm as he recited the same words.

Hoseok took his turn.

And then Jimin.

I stood speechless and completely immobile as they made their vows to me.

When they were done, the men behind them made their blood oath together. Their voices were loud and rang clear through the house.

As silence fell upon us again, Seokjin, Namjoon, Hoseok and Jimin placed their daggers at my feet and bowed their heads again.

"They are waiting for you to speak," Taehyung muttered, giving the small push I needed.

What could I say?

Never in my dreams did I ever think that a scene like this would have been possible.

To have such strong men kneeling for me, vowing as if their lives didn't matter. I was shocked and rendered completely speechless, they patiently waited for me to speak.

No, they waited for my command.

When I finally found my voice, I held onto Taehyung's hand tightly.

With his unwavering support and strength, I spoke.

"Please, stand up. All of you," I said softly.

My eyes blurred when they all stood up, "I don't need this, I don't need your lives. I don't want you to bleed for me. That's not how it works. We are a family. Just because I am Taehyung's husband, it doesn't mean that you are less than me."

Taehyung's arm tightened around my hips, "It's our tradition, Jungkook. It's a ritual that has been taken seriously for centuries. For every King or Queen that has been brought into this family, our men vow their lives for theirs. It was like this for my mother. Now it's your turn and one day, it

will be our children."

Seokjin came to stand in front of me, "This is a tradition we all hold very dearly, Jungkook. Grant us this wish. Let us serve you the way you deserve."

"The love that all of you give me is enough. I don't need warriors; I just need friends. A family," I replied tearfully, "I never had a family. This family is all I need. Nothing else. Nothing more."

Seokjin smiled, I saw him looking at Taehyung as if asking his permission. When his eyes came back to mine, I knew whatever he wanted to do. Taehyung had given him his permission.

He leaned forward and placed a kiss on my forehead, "You already have all of us," he pulled away and showed me his bloodied palm, "You will never

be alone again. This blood means we are a family. We are one. If you want to take it like this, then you could say this is our vow to you."

My heart squeezed and a tear slid down my cheek as I regarded Seokjin. I felt choked with emotion, I looked over his shoulders at the others. They were all looking at me expectantly.

I took a deep breath and then nodded, "Okay."

Their shoulders sagged in what seemed like a relief.

My acceptance was everything they needed.

"I love you, Angel," Taehyung said in my ear, "I'm so proud of you. You leave me in awe every single time."

His words were only for me.

I closed my eyes and sank into his arms, letting him support my weight.

"These types of rituals always make me cry," I heard Jimin say.

There were some chuckles and laughter, I opened my eyes to see Hae-sook holding her hand over her mouth.

"I guess the only thing left is the wedding ceremony!" he announced loudly.

"We are already married," Taehyung snapped back.

Jimin's tears were suddenly gone. Instead, he glowered at my man.

Oh no.

This was about to turn ugly.

"I mean an actual wedding," Jimin hissed.

"Are you saying Jungkook and I aren't married?"

"I didn't say that."

"It's not official. Your marriage isn't legal," Seokjin piped in.

"Excuse me?" Taehyung growled.

"You need to sign the papers to make it legal. You had no witnesses either," Seung-won explained.

"Well, actually, about that…" Jimin started.

My eyes widened when I saw her biting on her lips nervously.

Taehyung must have noticed it too because he stiffened.

Seokjin, Namjoon, Hoseok, and Jimin looked suddenly guilty.

Oh no.

No.

No.

Nope.

"You did not!" I gasped out loud.

"We were only there for half of it! I swear!" Jimin quickly tried to plead innocence.

"As soon as the rings were exchanged we left," Hoseok added.

"I'm about to shoot someone," Taehyung snapped.

Everyone took several steps back.

"We just wanted to make sure you stuck to the plan and didn't mess it up," Namjoon tried to reason, "You were having a hard time memorizing the lines the night before."

"Not that you said anything remotely close to what you practised anyway," Seokjin continued.

"But it was so sweet. If I wasn't already in love, I swear I would have fallen for you, Taehyung," Jimin swooned.

"About that," I jumped in, "Taehyung, you said you practised. Who did you practice with?"

"Don't, Jungkook," Taehyung started, but it was too late.

"Me!" Seokjin announced his attention back on us. He puffed his chest and smiled a Cheshire cat's smile, "I was his practice partner."

I raised an eyebrow and looked at Taehyung over my shoulders.

He swore under his breath.

"Oh really?" I questioned, hiding my giggle behind my hand.

Seokjin came to stand beside Taehyung and threw an arm around his shoulders, "We practised everything."

"And by everything, I mean… everything. If you know what I mean."

"What the fvck!" Taehyung bellowed.

Taehyung let go of me.

When I heard Seokjin scream in pain, I didn't have to turn around to know what happened, "You broke my nose. What the fvck?"

"You deserved that one," Jimin sighed.

I couldn't hold myself any longer.

My laughter bubbled from my chest, and I let it out, laughing uncontrollably at all of them.

They were crazy.

Insane.

And I loved them.

They did make me the happiest man.

"You guys are crazy," I wheezed between my laughter.

Taehyung was back to my side, wrapping me in his embrace as I smiled, looking at everyone.

My gaze found Jimin and I sent him a small smile.

"Jimin, it doesn't matter if we have a wedding. It won't be official anyway. I'm supposed to be dead, remember? I have no identity."

His expression turned sorrowful at the reminder of my previous life.

"Okay, no papers then but can we still have a big-ass wedding? Please? I have been planning this for months! Years even! Please, Taehyung! Jungkook," he begged.

It was impossible to say no to his pleading eyes, added by his plump pout, and I saw Hoseok standing beside him doing the same.

"No," Taehyung simply stated.

I sighed and shrugged.

"How big?"

"About a thousand people? Only the close ones," Namjoon suggested.

"I'm sorry, what?"

I considered Taehyung and I was already married.

I didn't want another wedding.

The ceremony at the creek is all I needed but the tempting thought of walking down the aisle toward Taehyung, confessing my love to him, making my vows to him in front of everyone… made me feel slightly giddy.

On top of that, I didn't think it was possible to say no to Jimin and the rest of his men.

I turned in Taehyung's embrace and faced him, "I already consider us married, my love. We don't need another wedding. The vows we made to each other are already enough."

I paused.

"You want the wedding?" Taehyung asked.

"Do you?" I shot back, "If you don't, then we won't have one."

"I don't care, either way, Angel. You are already my husband. No one else can say otherwise," He shot everyone a glare.

"It's tempting, my love. I want to wear a wedding suit for you," I whispered shyly, feeling suddenly nervous, "And walk down the aisle for you... say our vows... Again."

I sucked in a quick breath when Taehyung kissed me hard.

"We'll have a wedding then," he announced loudly.

Hoseok and Jimin squealed, jumping together as they clasp their hands together behind me, I only smiled at my husband.

My heart was overflowing with love for this man.

How could he be a killer and so sweet at the same time… I didn't understand. I didn't have to understand. I just needed him the way he was.

Dangerous, ruthless, yet sweet and loving.

Taehyung winked, my stomach fluttered in response.

My heart drummed faster as his boxy smile made a rare appearance, accompanied by his piercing blue eyes.

"Bring down the guest numbers and I want it as soon as possible," I said when I turned to face the others.

"Deal," Jimin quickly agreed.

It looked like we were having a wedding after all.

Taehyung placed a kiss on my temple, "You are so sweet, husband."

He teasingly nipped at my ear, "Only for you, husband."

I giggled… feeling so free… so loved… so treasured.

In Taehyung's arms, I was whole.