Jungkook arranged

The Kim family began losing its fortune long before Taehyung realized how dire it was. Their name was once known far beyond their homeland: they owned several estates, vast tracts of land, and trading houses, and thanks to their long-standing connections, they enjoyed respect even among more influential families. But after the death of his grandfather, things gradually went downhill. Taehyung's father proved unable to hold on to what he inherited—bad deals, large loans, and attempts to maintain his previous standard of living meant that by the age of seventeen, all that remained of Taehyung's former wealth was the family name, an old mansion, and debts that grew ever larger with each passing year.

The Kim family's last and largest loan came from the Jeong family. At the head of this family was thirty-three-year-old Jeongguk, an influential alpha male known for his wealth, tough personality, and habit of keeping his word. He didn't need the Kims' money, much less their favor, so he only helped the family after Taehyung's father agreed to a prenuptial agreement. Jeongguk's husband was to be the Kims' eldest son, Minhyuk, a twenty-one-year-old omega who had been groomed for such a role since childhood. He was well-versed in the rules of high society, knew how to conduct himself at receptions, was educated, and was considered a suitable match for the head of the Jeong family. For Taehyung's father, this marriage was the perfect solution: Jeongguk would pay off most of the debts and, after the wedding, would receive an official spouse from a respected family.

Only Minhyuk himself wasn't asked if he wanted this marriage. The closer the wedding got, the more he withdrew. He understood that after moving into Jungkook's house, his life would be entirely dependent on her husband, and his former freedom would be a thing of the past. Ultimately, fear overcame his sense of duty: five days before the scheduled ceremony, Minhyuk packed a few things, took whatever documents and money he could find, and then left the house that night. No one knew where he had gone. His father tried to find him through acquaintances, checking roads, hotels, and the homes of distant relatives, but Minhyuk seemed to have vanished. There was almost no time to search, as the Jungkook family had already been notified of the upcoming wedding, the guests had received invitations, and Jungkook himself was waiting to fulfill his contract.

Taehyung's father couldn't cancel the wedding. Breaking the agreement would mean not only losing the promised financial assistance but also an immediate demand to repay the money already received. The Kim family had neither funds nor property that could be sold without complete ruin. The only option left was to replace the runaway Minhyuk with another omega from the family. Taehyung seemed the most obvious choice. He was seventeen, still studying, and had never prepared himself for the role of husband to the head of another family, but that was precisely what no one cared about at the time. The decision was made for him, and within days, Taehyung was forced to leave the house where he was born to join a man he had only seen a few times before.

He was brought to Jungkook's estate two days before the ceremony. The enormous house, surrounded by high stone walls, resembled a palace: beyond the gates lay manicured gardens, courtyards with fountains, and long covered galleries connecting the residential buildings. Everything about it spoke of the Jung family's wealth and power, but Taehyung felt like an outsider from the very first moment. Servants greeted him, took his luggage, and led him to a room prepared in advance for the future husband. Even his clothes had already been prepared, but upon seeing them, Taehyung realized they weren't meant for him: some of them still had Minhyuk's initials on them.

Taehyung saw Jungkook for the first time that same evening. Alpha was standing in the courtyard, talking to the manager, when he was spotted. Taehyung paused a few steps away, unsure whether to approach, but Jungkook turned his head. His gaze slid over Taehyung, lingered on his face and the ring he hadn't yet worn, and then grew colder. His gaze held no interest in his future husband. Jungkook merely briefly ordered Taehyung to be shown to his room, then continued the conversation as if nothing had happened.

It was then that Taehyung first realized that Jungkook didn't want this wedding either.

Later that evening, Taehyung left his room to find water. He was still unsure of his way around the house and, turning down the wrong hallway, accidentally found himself near the kitchen. The voices of two maids could be heard from there. Hearing his name, Taehyung stopped and involuntarily listened.

"Mr. Jeong is still very angry," one of them said quietly. "I heard he was going to cancel the agreement right after he found out about Minhyuk."

"It's too late now," replied another. "The ceremony is in two days. The Kim family probably sent this boy instead of his brother on purpose."

• Have you seen him? He's just a child.

— I saw it. The poor thing doesn't even understand where he ended up.

The first maid sighed heavily.

"They say Minhyuk ran away during the night. And then they simply planted this guy in his place."

Taehyung froze around the corner.

The word "slipped" somehow hurt more than anything else. He knew perfectly well that he'd been sent here in his brother's place, but hearing it from complete strangers was something else entirely. To them, he wasn't a man forced to leave his home and family, but a substitute, a random figure thrust into the place of a fiancé who had run away.

He quietly returned to his room and did not come out until nightfall.

Two days later, the wedding took place. Everything went exactly as planned: representatives of both families stood by, older relatives observed the ceremony, and Taehyung fulfilled every requirement expected of him. Jungkook's ring was on his finger, and his name was officially added to the family documents. For everyone present, this was enough to consider the deal complete.

After the ceremony, Taehyung was taken to a separate wing of the house. Jungkook didn't come to him either that first night or the next day. Taehyung didn't know whether to be happy about this or even more terrified. He almost believed the alpha was going to ignore him completely, but on the third evening, the door to his room opened.

Jungkook entered alone, closed the door behind him, and stared at Taehyung for a few seconds. The age difference between them seemed especially noticeable now: the thirty-three-year-old alpha looked like a man accustomed to arbitrating the fates of others, while Taehyung, who had recently turned seventeen, barely knew how to behave in his own new home.

• Sit down.

—