Taehyung never wonders why no one dares to go there.No one dared to go to the mountain where he lived. Nobody knew his name. Some called him a beast, monster,dragon king,etc. Those who dared to even go to the mountains never returned. At Least not whole. 

Sometimes a heart returned, sometimes ashes of the person wrapped in a little box.

Some believed he was half human and half dragon.  

Everybody knew the stories and about the offerings. Their village offers a human every 6 months to the mountain's dragon king to please the beast on the mountains. 

Taehyung struck his trembling hands in his pant's pocket and swallowed. His breath trailed thin ribbons in the air like dragon's smoke. It was always cold upon the hill. 

The mayor of their town and other elders decides the offering. They always choose someone who is poor or a criminal. This way there was almost no crime in town. It was the turn of a poor boy named Rian who was the gardener's son and Taehyung's brother. His father worked in the palace's garden. When his father died, Taehyung took his place. After a month of his father's death, his little brother was caught in the act of robbery. 

It was decided that this time it would be Rian who would be offered to the beast. Taehyung was broken that his only family is going to leave him. 

"Rian is going to die. The dragon king will eat him or torture him. He is the worst of all his kind." 

Taehyung knew Hoseok was right. But he doesn't know what he can do to save his brother. Tomorrow was the day his brother was going to be sent in the devil's cage. 

Later that afternoon, the head butler tasked Taehyung with cleaning the horses. 

Taehyung didn't mind that he was no stranger to filthy messes done by the horse. Besides,he likes spending time with the animals. 

There was a horse named Diara who loves Taehyung a lot. She always got clingy to him whenever he came. He was allowed to ride diara because he lived far away from the royal palace and moreover diara wasn't a royal horse and weak in nature.

Today he wasn't happy to see diara. He was sad not because of diara but because of himself that he couldn't do anything to save his brother. His father took a promise from him that he will always take care of Rian but he clearly failed. 

He still had hope. He would save his brother no matter what.

Once all his tasks were done,he just sat there beside diara,petting her and feeding all the horses. Funny how a horse was a better company than all the people he knew. 

He sighed when suddenly one of the guards and his close friend came to him. 

"Hey Taehyung," said jimin. 

"Hi." He shortly replied. 

"Are you ok?" Jimin looked concerned. Taehyung scoffed. "Do you think I am?" 

Jimin sighed and said; "I know you are not and that is why I have a gift for you" Taehyung rolled his eyes and said "this is not the time-" he was cutted off when he saw what jimin was holding. He was holding the keys to Rian's cell. His eyes widened and his breath was caught on his throat. 

"Wh...what are you thinking?" Taehyung muttered. Jimin sighed and stood up. "Come on,get up! We both know there is no other way to save Rian. We need to save him by letting him escape his cell. I have prepared everything. All we need to do is help him escape, then we will give him some money,food and clothes then he will run away with diara." Jimin babbled like a rapper while Taehyung's eyes were wide open. "You know taehyungie there is no other way to save your brother and no one will be bothered if diara will not be there because she isn't royal horse." Jimin said while holding Taehyung's cheek. "Bu..but what about the dragon king?" He stuttered. Jimin sighed and replied "I..I will go" Taehyung widened his eyes. "Are you joking right now?you can't do this!" He whispered while Jimin rolled his eyes. 

"Taehyung I don't have any family..it's useless for me to live. They don't choose me just because I work for the royal palace, otherwise I would have been offered already. Please I need to go,Rian is your family." Taehyung's eyes were filled with tears. He really didn't know what to do. He just can't let them offer his brother and can't let his brother like best friend to leave either. He was stuck in a sandwich. It's like ditching the well behind i.e. there is trouble from both sides. He just can't afford to lose either of them. 

"Fi..fine" Jimin smiled happily, not knowing what was going inside Taehyung's mind. 

+++ 

"Hyung I love you,I am so so sorry. I felt like I was a burden to you. I wanted to do some work but I couldn't find any. I was going through the market in search of some..some food when suddenly royal guards came and they started deframing me that I have robbed a..a old..old woman. But I swear I didn't..I didn't- " 

After Taehyung and jimin sneaked Rian cell and brought him in a store room where jimin had brought everything which would rian needing. Rian started explaining all those things which he was feeling for a long time. "Shh..shh I know baby bear I know,it's alright now ok?" Taehyung hugged his little brother tightly to save the moment but they both knew it was not going to last for a long time. 

Jimin coughed a little to get the attention of both brothers. "Ok ok now stop this brother time. Rian is time for you to go okay? I know it will be difficult but you have to be strong ok?" Rian nodded slowly. 

After some time,they gave all the things to Rian and bid him farewell. After Rian went,Taehyung bursted into tears, which he had been holding for a long time. Jimin hugged him while whispering sweet and comforting words in his ears. 

"Jimin I..I can't afford to lose you please.. please!you are the only I have now... please!I beg you" Taehyung desperately begged while Jimin tightened his hold on Taehyung. "I understand what you are feeling right now, Taehyung. I know how it really feels, I really do."Taehyung sniffed and broke the hug. "I am sorry jimin." He said and dashed out of the room, closing the door so Jimin couldn't get out. 

He closed his eyes while Jimin was banging on the door and begging his friend to open the door but  Taehyung didn't mind all he wanted to see his best friend and his brother living their life happily.

"I am sorry chim." 

He took a deep breath and looked at the sun rising. "I hope you both will be happy,  " he said while smiling sadly. 

What about your happiness Taehyung?

+++ 

It was cold on the hill. Colder and colder the closer one gets. Darker like thick smoke and shadows caressed you. 

He didn't know what exactly waited for him there, but he wasn't a sacrifice. He was a volunteer. He volunteered to save his best friend and brother but he was a bit happy that he could at least save his family. 

When he reached the hill side,he was shocked to see a big mansion. It was so mesmerizing. It was a large dwelling house but it was dark with a musky, damp, dank or stale environment. It felt chilly, vacant and bare. 

He took a deep breath and entered. It seemed even darker the second he entered the garden. His eyes widened in shock as vines and roots of trees appeared to twist and move around him. He felt then brush curiously against the sides of his clothes, the back of his neck. 

The grounds stretched untamed as far as he could see,all the way down the other side of the hill to the fence. Yet the instant one stepped past the gates again,the grass was clean-out and normal. And the grounds certainly didn't move,he knew. 

But the garden didn't try and stop him from approaching the house. He just felt very watched. As if every inch of the garden and the manor was staring at him,trying to see straight into his soul, assessing him. 

He exhaled a shaky breath. The door opened for him before he could even touch it. He stayed frozen for a minute,his bag of belongings clutched tightly in his hands. 

Sometimes the offering didn't come back for a week so maybe he had a use of it. 

Taehyung could feel his heartbeat hammering inside his chest. He stepped inside slowly and carefully. He expected the house to be completely messy, but the house was very tidy and clean. Though it was dark,from what he could see the house had an old,casual sort of design that took Taehyung's breath away. 

He swallowed once more but his breath was stuck on his throat. "Hello?" He called out. "Hello, is anyone here?" 

It was morning. But there it didn't feel like that. Only the palest shaft of sunlight managed to come inside. There was no response,it seemed like there was no one here. When suddenly an old man who liked a butler came towards him. The old man motioned me with his right hand with a courtly gesture,saying in excellent English,but with a strange intonation. "Welcome to the house! Enjoy your life till it lasts!" He said and creepily grinned. "Who..who are you?" Taehyung stuttered. "Sadly I am not the master so I can't tell you anything." The old man pouted and Taehyung had an urge to puke on his face.

Suddenly there was a large growl which shouted "Mate! Mate!" Taehyung unconsciously stepped back in fear. "Mate!mate!don't go away we just found you..don't go away!" The voice shouted in a fuming voice which held a gentleness as well. 

Suddenly he felt a breath on his nape. He whipped around at the cold breath against his neck. Or he could have,if a hand hadn't clamped tightly on his hip,and another on the back of his neck, keeping him still. 

"You are the offering, my mate" the voice breathed in his ears. "I..I.. volunteered..I came here by my own will and  I am not your mate." The hold on his hip tightened. "You.are.my.mate.only.mine.I was waiting for you for so long. Did you know it's been 20 years since I was waiting for you. I made every town bring me a person, offering to find my mate as I couldn't leave this house. " Taehyung's eyes widened and the beast chuckled. "Shocked? Aww my baby is so cute." The beast cooed in a baby voice. 

"I am immortal and so will you be when we both complete the mating system. And this time I won't let you run away from me." The beast tightened his hold on him. "I.. don't understand anything. Please don't hurt me." Taehyung begged. "Why would I? I won't unless you try to escape from me.Now, Taehyung you should go to your room and rest until your mate prepares for our mating and wedding ok?" The beast said while Taehyung was shocked. How did the beast know his name? Taehyung never met the beast so why was he saying all this? He expected the beast to torture him and then feed on him or kill him but here the beast was- 

"Baby don't give pressure to your little brain,you need rest. You will get All your answers okay?" Taehyung slowly nodded.

The beast walked away  not before whispering, "My name is Jeon jungkook" 

+++ 

The weather was moderately gratifying today. The sun rays beamed on the earth and the earth was unclouded. The chilly Zephyr gusted across the hill. The tweeting of the birds could be heard across the town. Besides near the castle no bird dared to even go near the castle. 

Taehyung slowly opened his eyes and stretched. Fortunately,he actually had a good sleep last night. Last night, after the beast- jungkook walked away he looked for a room. All the rooms were clean and beautiful. He doesn't know why he felt a great pull towards one of the rooms.

When he entered the room,he quickly felt as if he had been here. After looking through the room,he understood that room was of the beast. When he wanted to leave the room,the beast entered and smiled at him. The beast locked into the room from inside and went inside the bathroom. Not knowing what to do, Taehyung changed into his sleepwear and sat on the bed like an obedient puppy. He didn't know when he slept. 

He woke up in the middle of the midnight,not able to move from his position because of a veiny  hand on his stomach. He wanted to drink water but couldn't so he decided to sleep back when suddenly someone made him sit and gave him water. It was a beast. Taehyung thanked him and drank water while the beast was creepily grinning and admiring him. 

When he slept,the hand was back on his tummy. 

"I missed this,I missed us" the devil whispered and then both of them slept again. 

This time when taehyung woke up he couldn't see jungkook so he went to shower.

After 15 minutes, someone entered the room and started shouting "Where is he? Where is he? Taehyung my love where are you? See I don't like to play hide and seek okay?" His shout brought goose bumps on Taehyung. He quickly wore a bathrobe and came outside. He felt like if he didn't go to Jungkook at this instant,that man would destroy the whole world. 

When he entered the bedroom, he saw everything destroyed. He gasped and got the attention of the beast. "Where were you?" The beast asked. 

"FUCKING ANSWER ME!" He yelled. Taehyung felt weak at his knees. "I..I was in the shower" he replied, the beast sighed and pulled him on his chest. "I am sorry baby" Taehyung suddenly felt giddy at the attention,he didn't know why. 

+++ 

Right now, the old man who Taehyung met yesterday was serving food. "Than...thank you" he thanked the old man and smiled at him but the old man didn't even look into his eyes. Taehyung rolled his eyes, thinking that man is rude. But he didn't notice the glare jungkook was giving to the old man. When he did,he ignored it. Jungkook smiled at him and served him more food. "I don't want you to lose weight" and winked at him which made Taehyung blush furiously. 

After eating,they both went to the couch and Jungkook held his hand. "I am going to tell you everything now,ca..can you promise to not leave me after that?" Surprisingly, Jungkook's eyes were teary which made Taehyung want to cry. He doesn't know why but he feels a strong connection towards jungkook. 

"20 years ago, we both used to live together happily in the castle. We both were dragons. I was the dragon king and you were my queen. We both were happy until one day you got pregnant. We both had an argument because you weren't ready to become a parent but I was desperate to have pups. You..you slipped on the stairs because it wasn't clean and filled with water.You..you..left me..you died. " Jungkook started sobbing and Taehyung hugged him tightly. "I won't leave you okay? Please don't cry. I don't know why it's hurting to see you cry." Jungkook smiled slightly and replied "it's because we are mates, love." 

At night,when both of them were eating food. Taehyung started coughing loudly because the food was very spicy. Jungkook gave him water and started rubbing his back. After Taehyung was relaxed, Jungkook kissed his forehead and he threw all the food in the dustbin. And he started yelling at the old man who was the only person living in the castle other than Jungkook and Taehyung. 

"THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING WHEN YOU MADE THIS FOOD SO SPICY! YOU JUST HAVE ONE WORK AND CAN'T EVEN DO THAT! YOU ARE USELESS PIECE OF SHIT!" Jungkook stopped yelling when he saw Taehyung whimpering and sobbing quietly. "Hey hey sorry love,it wasn't for you ok?" Jungkook said while hugging him closely. 

"Sir it's not my mistake,I always make food this spicy only it's Taehyung who can't eat spicy food." The old man said courageously. 

"Now, are you blaming my love for the mistake you made? And who allowed you to speak my mate's name from your filthy mouth?" Jungkook said slowly trying not to scare his mate but still glaring at that man.

"Jung...Kook...it's not his mistake...I don't eat spicy food and I forgot to tell that...it's my mistake I am sorry" Taehyung said slowly trying not to trigger anything. 

Jungkook looked at him and instantly smiled. "You are still the same Taehyung. Always taking the blame,saving others." He chuckled. Taehyung smiled back at him and both of them started doing staring competition for God knows how long. 

+++ 

It's been 1 month since Taehyung came into the devil's cage. Well he won't consider it a devil's cage because he likes it here. He found a person who loved him with his whole heart. He doesn't know if he should consider Jungkook's care, possessiveness, or kindness as love. Because sometimes,he feels Jungkook is just obsessed with him. He is insecure that jungkook just loves him because of the mate thingy otherwise he wouldn't have loved him ever. 

In this one month, they both have grown closer and they live alone in the castle so sometimes it's boring. Well the old butler retired and Jungkook gave him a lot of money and a house. That old man now lives in peace in the town. He sometimes wonders if Jungkook has forced him to work here. When he asked Jungkook,he said that the old man was in debt with him. Taehyung still remembers his last encounter with the old man. 

The old man was cooking food, and Jungkook was working in his office. Surprisingly, Jungkook has a big business. As he couldn't step out of his house,he works from home. 

Taehyung was really bored so he decided to have conversations with the old man. 

They both were talking about food and dishes they like and dislike. 

"Queen Taehyung, I am really sorry for that day. I didn't know you don't like spicy food. I am really sorry. " The old man apologized. 

"No,no it's completely fine. It wasn't your mistake" Taehyung said while smiling softly. 

"Can I ask something?" Taehyung hesitated. "Ofcourse." 

"How did I die?" The old man's eyes widened. "Master must have told you." 

"Yes,Jungkook told me but I feel like there is something else in it. Can you please tell if you are comfortable enough?" Taehyung slowly asked. 

"Ofcourse. Ofcourse. Well you were pregnant and king didn't wanted a child. He was immortal so there was no issue about hier. He thought if you both have child then you won't give him love and attention. So,he didn't wanted to have a child. You both had an argument. You stormed out of the room and while going downstairs you slipped and...and died. 

After you were dead, the master tried to do some black magic to make you come back but the moon goddess didn't allow it and gave him a curse that he cannot go outside of this castle until his mate comes back and forgives him. The moon goddess wasn't wrong.

It's wrong to use black magic and if you do so then you should be ready to face consequences. After the curse,Jungkook tried to do more black magic and he ended up doing something which will make you immortal when you both mate each other but the element which is very important in it is true love.

Then the offering system started, all the people who weren't his mate..he killed them. I know you must be thinking he is cruel but living an eternity alone is not easy, it can affect one's mental health. He was immortal because he was the dragon king but you weren't so he didn't want to lose you this time Taehyung. You are the only one who can help him and lead him to the right path.

Do you remember that day when he looked at you and all his anger vanished? That's the power of love,it can make a person good or it can destroy everything. Don't let anything be destroyed Taehyung. Ah..ah I am sorry queen I got carried away" The butler explained while Taehyung was in utter shock. Jungkook was hiding so much from him. 

Taehyung was sitting on the balcony while gazing at the moon thinking about all those things. How can change him? He doesn't know? Even if he always manages to live with him and becomes pregnant, will Jungkook do the same as he did last time. He loved a kid and would love to have his one day. He doesn't know what to do. He missed his brother,his best friend,diara. 

He missed them as hell. Living with Jungkook wasn't bad but he missed the outside world. Jungkook let him step outside the castle doors. He let him roam the garden but still he missed the outside world. 

"What are you thinking baby?" Jungkook came towards him and made him sit on his lap while he sat at one of the chairs. 

"I am thinking about my family,my best friend. I miss them alot. Taehyung replied while Jungkook started becoming angry.  "Why do you miss them? Am I not enough? I give you everything you ask for Jeon Taehyung. What more do you need?" Taehyung sat beside him and cupped his checks.

"It's not like that jungkook. You are enough but I miss them because they are part of my life too. You just can't make me forget them. I am tired of living in this castle.I am happy here but I like my freedom too,I don't want to live like a bird in a cage." He finally spoke his heart out but jungkook yanked his hands away and stood up. "You think I don't? I haven't stepped out if this castle for 20 fucking years. You know why I have this curse? It's because when you died I tried to make you alive again in that process I got this curse. But I don't regret it because I did it for you Taehyung. Just for you" Jungkook was taking deep breaths and Taehyung stood up as well.

"You think I don't know? I know,I know that it was you who didn't want your child...our child. I am not blaming you for my death or my child's death but I never told you to make me come back again. I never ever wanted to become your mate. I never asked for you." Taehyung yelled in frustration and anger forgetting what he was saying was hurting jungkook. Jungkook felt a pang in his heart. He knew he lied but he did so Taehyung didn't leave him. He can't afford to leave him now. He just can't. He loved him alot. He didn't even care about his freedom,he just wanted Taehyung. 

Yes,he was selfish. He didn't allow Taehyung to leave the castle because he didn't want to lose him. What if someone hurts him when he isn't there? What if Taehyung never comes back? Call it obsession or love...he can't afford to lose him. 

"You..you don't want to be with me?You want someone who is young to fuck you?huh? I can fuck you better than anyone Taehyung,give me a chance to show you who is the boss." You can't blame Jungkook for saying these things. In anger, anyone can say anything without thinking. 

"After spending time with me, you think I am whore or a slut? Huh? No! I want a normal life with my loved ones!" Taehyung said. "You don't think of me as your loved one huh?" Jungkook clenched his jaw. "It's not like that...jungk-" Taehyung stepped towards him but jungkook just left the balcony.

Taehyung sobbed while sitting on the floor. He didn't mean to say these things. The truth was he knew he loved Jungkook alot. He knew it but he couldn't control it. You must have heard 'Anger begins with folly, and ends with repentance.' 

+++ 

It's been two days since Jungkook hasn't left his office. He came once to take water but he just ignored Taehyung who tried to talk to him. Right now, Taehyung was cooking some food for jungkook. He hadn't eaten anything for 49.5 hours and it worries Taehyung. 

Suddenly Jungkook stormed out of his office and ran towards him. "I can't explain it right now. Just hide Taehyung and Don't come out until I tell you to." Jungkook said and pushed him towards the bathroom near the living room. 

Taehyung did as told but he was a bit sad that Jungkook didn't call him any nicknames. He unconsciously pouted.he was worried about why jungkook panicked. Did something happen? But what was it? 

He was busy thinking when suddenly he heard his best friend,Jimin shouting and groaning. "Leave him! Please, I beg you. Take me with you and let him go. I know he is alive. I know it,I can feel it. Please let him go,I beg you. Please." 

Taehyung quickly left the bath room. And ran towards Jimin who was lying on the bloody floor with some wounds. He ran towards Jimin and kept his head on his lap. 

"Please don't hurt him, please don't. " Taehyung muttered while Jungkook clenched his jaw. 

"Ok,I won't. You-you both can go away tomorrow from here. I don't need the offerings anymore." 

Taehyung was in utter shock. While Jungkook finally knew he couldn't hold back his love. Taehyung had full choice to live with him or not. Taehyung's eyes were wet with tears while watching Jungkook go away from him. 

+++ 

Jimin and Taehyung were in one of the guest rooms. Taehyung was healing Jimin's wounds while talking about things. Jimin was telling him about what happened these days in their town and Taehyung told about Jungkook,him being his mate and other things. 

"You know taehyung I..I think I saw love and sadness in his eyes when he said he will let you go. I think he loves you,you should at least try to talk to him once. He has waited so long for you,give him a chance. He will die from loneliness,there is not even that old man here anymore. " Jimin said while patting his back. "I want to be with you,I came here to take you. I knew I couldn't go against the dragon king so I was prepared I thought I will offer myself...and if you were died I would have died from jungkook's hand. I don't want to be selfish Taehyung. You matter to me but your happiness matter more than that to me." Jimin explained his feelings. 

"Jimin I-i will try to talk to him" 

Taehyung slowly knocked at the office door. When didn't hear any reply,he entered the office to see it completely destroyed. The vase was broken, all the files were all over the place and Jungkook was sitting quietly on the couch while putting his head on his hands. Taehyung was shocked to see all this he was going to approach him when he heard Jungkook sobbing. 

"Ju-jungkook? Are you ok?" Taehyung sat beside him and kept his hand on Jungkook's shoulder but he yanked Taehyung's hand. "Shut up! Just just go away. That's what you want right? Fine!I am letting you go,be happy! I will be happy knowing you are happy...wit..without me" 

Jungkook sobbed. 

"No..no kook it's not like that." 

Jungkook was shocked to hear a nickname from Taehyung's mouth. "Go away Taehyung please,be happy and leave me" 

"I WON'T FUCKING LEAVE YOU! I LOVE YOU WHY WOULD I? I WAS JUST FRUSTRATED THAT TIME.I WANT TO BE HAPPY AND I WANT TO ROAM EVERYWHERE BUT WITH YOU JUST YOU!" Taehyung panted. 

"You.. do you love me?" Jungkook asked while hiccuping and Taehyung nodded. 

"Fuck! I love you so fucking much!!",Jungkook groan and hungrily decore Taehyung's jaw and neck with beautiful purple bruises, making the younger moan and push Jungkook down on the couch. Taehyung plopped himself on Jungkook's clothed Cock and glared down at him.

"If I ever see you telling me to go away I will kill you",Taehyung's eyes were filled with tears when he kissed jungkook hungrily devouring him as he ripped open Jungkook's shirt and lean down sucking and licking on Jungkook's neck.As for the older.He had wide eyes when Taehyung said he will kill him because that was so hot, damn-

"Anything for you love! ",He said excitedly as Taehyung trails kisses down his chest and abs. Jungkook plopped on his elbows as he looked down at Taehyung who looked beautiful and horny. It was the first time they both were being intimate and it was so hot. 

Taehyung just look back in his eyes then look back at what he was doing, taking off Jungkook's pant.But the way he just stared at the dragon, made Jungkook go wild as he growl and pull Taehyung towards him by his nape and smack him lips against his.Mouth open as they hungrily devour each other.

Jungkook squeeze on Taehyung's thighs pressing it down so he could feel his mate's ass on his hard clothed Cock better.Then took off his shirt without breaking the kiss as Taehyung push it back too.Letting Jungkook tear his dress shirt on him and throw it on the floor,leaving him with his bare upper body with only his diamond necklace which was gifted by his beautiful mate.As he then bring back his hands around Jungkook's neck, rubbing it in a sensual way. "I love you,I won't ever leave you I promise. " 

Taehyung said. "No love you can go whenever you want,wherever you want...this curse can be broken...if there is true love and if we mate each other.." Jungkook hesitated to say this,fearing Taehyung would misunderstand him. "Why didn't you tell me before?" Taehyung rolled his eyes and continued kissing jungkook. 

This was going to be a long night...

* * * Finished * * *

Written by: garima_btsarmy