A Red Tyrant (Part 1)

Minjeong hadn’t taken a bath like that in so, so many moons. The feeling of the cold water flowing through her hair and fur felt immaculate. She honestly wished she could stay in that tub for the rest of her life. 

She missed being cleaned. Being pampered and adorned with small trinkets and bows placed on the base of her folded ears. 

But all of that was gone. Nothing but a bittersweet memory. She wasn’t going to experience her scheduled scented baths nor enjoy her meals on a blue printed plate that had her name printed in gold.

She wouldn’t be able to sleep by the foot of her master’s elegant king-sized bed, on her own cottony soft pillows and the scent of lavender wafting through their chamber.

It was all… gone. The image of how she saw her two masters was so tainted that she couldn’t find it in her to miss memories without feeling so scared and betrayed. All that was clear in her mind were cold nights inside a dark cellar; nothing but the smell of rust and piss invading her senses as she tried her best to keep it together. 

Minjeong honestly wanted to try her best to stop all of these memories from flooding her senses. It was all too much, something that she wished that could be switched off so easily whenever she wanted to stop feeling at all. 

And now her life was filled with red. A color that seemed to have painted everything in this entire camp. Their banners, the buildings, splashes of the dark color on their tents, on what they were wearing, what was smeared on their faces. Sometimes Minjeong wasn’t sure if it was paint or blood. 

Their leader was bathed in both. Anger, through her words, her actions, the marks that were left on Minjeong’s skin whenever the alpha touched her. 

All red. 

She was the only one that was different. But even she couldn’t recognize her original color anymore. 

It was all gone anyway. It shouldn’t matter. 

Then again, things were a bit different these past few days. She wasn’t sure how to go about it, she wasn’t sure if it was even real. But it was. 

The scent of the bath was soothing, if she wanted to be honest for once. It was a mix of mint scented oils, something fruity, and something soothing. Minjeong hadn't had a bath like this for a long time. Though, she was starting to get used to it all over again when Yizhuo was the one giving her the bath. 

Tonight was different, she didn't know how it happened or what went into the alpha's mind when she insisted that she would be the one to bathe her. If only Minjeong had the guts to refuse. But boldness could easily be overpowered by fear; and fear was the only thing that was reminding her that she wanted to live.

Minjeong wanted to sink into the comfort of the bath if it weren't for her heart beating in erratic beats because of the human being that was sitting behind her. The walking contradiction of her life.

“Too hard?” Jimin asked, voice low and gentle. Something she was still getting used to. But the feeling of big hands and fingers slowly massaging her scalp was making her a bit more flustered than she expected. 

Her masters used to do this for her before, they did it all the time, but why was it different when Jimin was doing it?

She swallowed the non-existent lump in her throat, afraid to shake her head. “N-no,” she replied back, stuttering. 

Jimin hummed and Minjeong wasn’t sure if it was a positive one or not. “Does it smell good?” the alpha asked again.  

“Yes,” Minjeong answered. It really did smell good. 

She remembered that it was the same product Yizhuo used on her the first time the omega gave her a bath. It didn’t smell like home, but it was still comforting for her, so she got used to it. 

But she couldn’t understand why she was feeling a bit fidgety. To say she was surprised that Jimin offered to bathe her would be an understatement, but the fear that remained inside of her made her comply. 

A part of her wanted to see if Jimin really was telling the truth and if the alpha was going to stop being aggressive and pushy towards her. Giving her a bath should be a start and so far, it wasn’t so bad. 

Jimin offered, asking her politely if she wanted to, and she also allowed it after giving it much thought. Minjeong was trying her best to be fine with it, because she felt like had no other choice. 

Eighteen moons had passed since she got to this place. Her being sent away from her planet was much more than that. She lost count. But when she was trapped in this one, and with Jimin, her life was spared. So, it was evident that these barbaric humans wanted her alive. Especially their leader.

Which made no sense to her, and she wanted to know why. But she also should be thankful. 

“Do you like it better when Yizhuo bathes you?” Jimin suddenly asked her, taking her away from her thoughts. 

Jimin was full of questions tonight, and Minjeong had no energy to find a decent answer to make sure that she wouldn’t get hurt. Or killed. 

But if she wanted to tell the truth, she wasn’t sure how to handle the results of it. Because Jimin’s hands were surprisingly soft, the expanse of her palm on her head and the way her fingers threaded through Minjeong’s blonde hair felt… comforting. It was actually a nice experience. 

At the same time, she liked being bathed by Yizhuo because of her calming presence. And Yizhuo asked fewer questions. She talked a lot, but not enough for Minjeong to find it irritating. It was enough to allow Minjeong’s mind to wander off even for just a brief moment.

“I have no preference,” Minjeong replied. That was a safe answer, at least it would save her from the embarrassment and maybe a small punishment if she said something that Jimin wouldn’t be satisfied with. 

Luckily, all she received was the same low hum from the alpha. 

The feeling of Jimin's fingers were starting to make her close her eyes, even if she wanted to resist it. She didn't want to keep her guard down. Though, the circular motions, the way the pads of the alpha's fingers pressing gently on her scalp felt really, really good.

So, for a moment of vulnerability, Minjeong kept her eyes closed and allowed the alpha to continue what she was doing. 

Jimin suddenly caressed her sides and whispered. “Puppy, raise your arms please.”

Minjeong's eyes shot open when she heard that name. 

“Puppy, come here!” 

“Puppy, do you want to eat with us?” 

“Minjeongie, you’ll always be our puppy.” 

“Take her away! Put her in the cage—“

“Puppy!” 

“Puppy.” 

“Minjeong—“ 

“Minjeong, hey—“

Minjeong flinched hard when she felt hands on her shoulders and an awful whimper escaped her mouth. 

“What’s wrong?” Jimin suddenly asked her, hands gently holding her, deep brown eyes boring into her soul. “What did I do? Did I say something?” 

The way Jimin showed her concern made the feelings inside of her all the more conflicting. Minjeong expected this tyrant to kill her the moment she was discovered and when that didn't happen, it occurred to her that the alpha only wanted her for her body. 

But for some odd reason, something changed with the alpha and suddenly she was starting to show more care and concern, a habit that her previous masters exuded. But how long would this facade play out until Jimin did the same thing to her?

Minjeong had shown her vulnerability because she was only a weak being. However, she knew better, and she didn't need another human being to hurt her.

She tried to compose herself, head still hanging low, but she shook her head, clenching her fists under the bath water. “N-no,” she mumbled, trying to sound convincing. “It’s nothing.”