[PREVIEW] Winterbane ❄️ Chapter 12 - Start of Season 2!

Jimin’s eyes are on the ground as the tension in the cabin blankets above their heads like a looming avalanche ready to bury them alive. His fingers fidget together as his gaze occasionally flicks to his husband beside him, noticing the hard lines lining his handsome face as they both stand before the fuming Highlord.

"You shouldn't have done it," Yoongi's father hisses. "You should have been more patient."

The Highlord spits out the last word with venom, glaring daggers at his son who's wearing a mask of defiance as he scowls at the older alpha. "Highlord Yang had already declared war, father," Yoongi counters. "And he admitted to his crimes against me and Jimin."

"He will be punished along with his entire House," the Highlord assures him. "But it is not yours to claim the justice that is due to them. I am still the Highlord of House Min, boy, and I hold the final decision on this matter."

Namjoon shuffles on his feet behind them, silently standing near a wall with rigid shoulders. He's just as unsettled as all of them.

"When are you planning to punish the Yangs?" Yoongi asks, his tone bleeding with a hint of accusation. "They attempted to kill me — your son and heir — and harmed my husband and unborn pup. I will not stand idly by whilst the culprit behind these heinous things that befell our House roams free and hides behind iron walls."

Highlord Min clenches his jaw. "You do not understand the gravity of what you've done, Yoongi. Despite being at the precipice of war, you murdered Lord Sungmin, the heir of House Yang in front of the Northern Lords without mercy. You stained the sacred grounds of the Sanctum with blood and sullied the Min name with your recklessness and deplorable intentions."

Jimin's lashes flutter as he feels his chest constrict at the Highlord's words.

"Such ignoble and imprudent act isn't befitting an alpha of your station." Highlord Min lets out an exasperated sigh. "You dishonor me, son."

The corners of Yoongi's mouth press tightly together as turbulent emotions strain the muscles in his jaw. "Tell me, father," Lord Alpha utters, his voice low and calculating. "Why is it honorable to die on the battlefield and not by any other means? Do you think House Yang thought of honor when they started this war by attempting to take my life and abducting my husband? They see us but mere pawns playing in their game." Yoongi lifts his chin. "Justice should not be stalled for the likes of them."

The Highlord regards his son for a moment, holding his fiery gaze as if testing which of them shall back down first. "That kind of temperament will get you killed, Yoongi," the older alpha warns. "If you do not learn to control the heat of your emotions, then gods help us all." A brief, suffocating pause. "You will be the doom of House Min."

"M-My lord," Jimin interrupts, lowering his eyes to the ground. "Yoongi's fault is as much as mine. Even more." He swallows thickly. "I shouldn't have been abducted so easily. I should have fought when I had the chance."

"Jimin, no." Lord Alpha shakes his head, holding Jimin's shoulders. "You're with pup. How could you have possibly done anything in that condition?"

"It is not your fault, Jimin," Highlord Min tells him. "It was Yoongi's decision to swing the sword upon Lord Sungmin. It was his brunt to bear."

The Highlord paces back and forth in the cabin, glancing at his eldest son as the flames on the hearth dance on his skin. "If you will not learn how to do things wisely, Yoongi, then I will renounce your claim as the firstborn alpha of House Min and name Namjoon as my heir."

"Father." Namjoon steps forward with a panicked look on his face. "No, please. I beg of you."

"Do what you must," Yoongi responds.

"Brother, no."

"Yoongi." Jimin rests a hand on his husband's arm, looking at the man with a worried knot between his brows.

Yoongi takes a step forward. "I do not regret what I did. I protected my family against our enemies and seized justice when I saw the chance. You spiked the war against the South when they killed mother."

The Highlord stiffens at the mention of his wife.

"Hence, do not fault me if I'm doing the same for my husband and mate, father."

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Lady's note:

Hello! I've started drafting Chapter 12 of Winterbane which marks the start of Season 2. It will take a while to finish it especially with my examination coming up but I hope to deliver the whole chapter soon. Thank you so much for continuously supporting me! <3