Jungkook leaned over the wide wooden table in his office, spreading out a map of the Moonlight Pack’s territory. His eyes traced the borderlines carefully, his focus shifting to areas marked with small red dots. Each one represented a recent rogue sighting, and each one had stirred an instinctual need to protect in him. The safety of his pack had always come first, and now, with the Shadow Pack members among them, that instinct had only sharpened.

Just then, Beta Min walked in, his expression as sharp as his posture. He nodded in greeting, stepping up to the table and scanning the map Jungkook had laid out.

“Beta Min,” Jungkook said, motioning to a cluster of red dots along the eastern border, “the sightings have increased in this area. We need to bolster patrols here, maybe even double them for the next few weeks. We can’t risk another attack.”

Min’s eyes narrowed as he studied the area. “Agreed. I’ll schedule additional patrols immediately, rotating our best trackers to cover this side. I’ll also have scouts go out during different hours to keep things unpredictable. We can’t let them get too comfortable with any patterns.”

Jungkook nodded approvingly. “Good. Make sure the scouts stay alert—no breaks, no lapses. I’d rather we keep a closer eye now than regret it later.”

Min’s gaze shifted, and there was a slight frown between his brows. “This many sightings along the eastern border could mean something more. Either they’re planning something bigger, or we have a territory issue on our hands.”

Jungkook’s jaw tightened at the thought. The notion of rogues or rival packs challenging their borders was something he didn’t take lightly. “We’ll be ready either way. If they’re testing our defenses, they’ll see we’re stronger than they thought.”

He folded his arms, contemplating their next steps, but another thought flickered across his mind. He turned to Min, his tone a bit softer, though still laced with authority. “Have all the Shadow Pack members been settled?”

Min gave a slight nod, his expression softening a fraction. “Yes, Alpha. All members have been assigned to their cabins, and the essentials have been taken care of. They’re adjusting, but the transition seems smooth so far. I had a few of our pack members check in with them to offer support.”

“Good,” Jungkook said, a trace of relief crossing his face. “I want them to feel secure here, even if it’s temporary. They’ve lost enough already.”

A moment of silence passed between them, and Min’s gaze grew contemplative. “I can tell they’re grateful to be here, Jungkook, even if some are… wary. But there’s a resilience to them. I don’t doubt they’ll adapt quickly.”

Jungkook’s eyes darkened slightly as he nodded, his thoughts momentarily straying to Kkum, wondering how she was adjusting. It had been a long time since anyone had unsettled him the way she did, and even though he hadn’t seen her since the day before, her presence lingered in his mind.

Min caught his brief distraction and raised an eyebrow. “Everything alright, Alpha?”

Jungkook shook himself back to the present, his tone quickly shifting back to its usual command. “Yes. Just… keep an eye on things. If there’s any sign of distress among the Shadow Pack, I want to know immediately.”

Min inclined his head in understanding, his loyalty unwavering. “Understood. I’ll make sure our own pack members offer whatever support is needed as well. With the recent rogue activity, it’s best we all stand together.”

Jungkook’s gaze hardened. “Exactly. And if anyone steps out of line—Shadow Pack or Moonlight Pack—I want to be the first to know.”

Beta Min’s lips twitched slightly in a faint smile, a glint of pride in his eyes. “As always, Jungkook, you look out for your people. They know they’re safe under your protection.”

Jungkook gave a small nod, his shoulders relaxing just a fraction. “It’s what they deserve. I won’t let anyone take that from them.”

They stood there for a moment longer, two leaders committed to their pack’s safety, before Min inclined his head. “I’ll take care of the patrol adjustments right away and check on the Shadow Pack’s integration again.”

Jungkook watched him go, the weight of responsibility settling firmly on his shoulders. As the door closed behind Min, he looked down at the map again, tracing the boundaries of his territory with a steady hand. He wouldn’t allow any threats, inside or out, to undermine his pack’s safety.

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Jungkook sat at his desk, stacks of paperwork and reports splayed out before him. Yet his eyes barely skimmed the words; each time he tried to focus, his mind betrayed him, pulling him back to the memory of Kkum. The past 24 hours had been a blur, yet somehow she was a constant presence in his thoughts, lingering just beneath the surface. Kyro, his wolf, wasn’t making things easier. Every time he tried to shove his thoughts aside, Kyro growled within him, demanding to claim what was theirs. They hadn’t seen her since yesterday, and Kyro was sulking, growing increasingly agitated with each passing hour.

Jungkook sighed, running a hand through his hair. He tried to drown out the voice within him, but Kyro’s insistence made him feel torn in two. She’s just a person here to stay for a while, he reminded himself, but even he could feel the lie behind his own words. She was more than that, and denying it only seemed to strengthen the ache within him.

A loud bang jolted him from his thoughts, the door to his office swinging open as Jiwon, his Gamma, barged in with an indignant expression. “Why on earth did you give the pack house to the Shadow Pack members without even telling me?” she demanded, crossing her arms as she glared at him.

Jungkook leaned back in his chair, his voice calm though his mind was still elsewhere. “It was a sudden decision. They needed a place to stay. You can stay at my house in the meantime.”

Jiwon huffed, clearly unimpressed with his answer, and plopped down in the chair across from him, folding her arms. “Your house isn’t the issue, Jungkook. I mean, seriously, what happened back there in the Shadow Pack?”

Jungkook stiffened slightly, knowing exactly what she meant, but keeping his expression guarded. “Nothing significant. Just rogues causing trouble.”

“Oh, come on!” Jiwon leaned forward, her eyes narrowed. “You know very well what I’m talking about. Don’t play dumb with me.”

He gave her a sidelong glance, realizing that evading her questions wouldn’t be easy. “How do you even know about this?” he asked, his tone cautious.

Jiwon raised a brow, giving him an incredulous look. “You know how pack rumors spread, Jungkook. Especially things like this. There’s no keeping secrets here.”

Jungkook pressed his lips together, fighting back the urge to roll his eyes. “Jiwon, I’m busy. And changing the topic isn’t going to get me to answer questions you’re already pushing too far on.”

Jiwon crossed her arms, her expression one of pure determination. “You moron, I’m not dropping this. Now, who is she? From which pack does she belong?”

For a moment, he simply stared at her, trying to decide how much he was willing to reveal. But just as he opened his mouth to respond, an idea sprang to mind—a way out. He straightened, as if suddenly alert, and spoke as if someone had mind-linked him. “Beta Min needs me. I have to go,” he said, his voice clipped.

Without waiting for her response, he strode past her, grabbing his jacket. “We’ll talk later,” he tossed over his shoulder as he disappeared out the door, leaving Jiwon sitting there, bewildered and annoyed.

As Jungkook walked down the hall, his thoughts were a tumultuous mix of relief and dread. Dodging Jiwon’s questions only postponed the inevitable; sooner or later, she’d pry the truth out of him. But for now, he had other matters to attend to—and a restlessness within him that wouldn’t be calmed.

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Moon Kkum

As the door clicked shut behind Yeonjun, I took a deep breath, feeling the quiet of the house settle around me. It was strange, standing here on my own in a place that didn’t hold any of my memories, where the walls had been shaped by someone else’s life. But that was part of the draw, I realized—a chance to start fresh, somewhere no one expected anything from me, where no memories lingered.

I glanced around, taking in the simplicity of the place. The hall was wide but unadorned, with warm wooden floors stretching underfoot and large windows that let in the afternoon sun. A few simple, gray-toned couches and chairs were placed in a cozy arrangement near a brick fireplace, giving the space a soft glow. Minimalist, like the rest of the pack grounds I’d seen. There was no clutter, no sentimental touch. Just function and form. But it was nice… calming, almost.

Turning into the kitchen, I was struck by the same sense of efficiency. Dark wood cabinets lined the walls, with slate countertops and a neatly organized set of dishes on open shelves. A few appliances, all in pristine condition, gleamed under the soft lights overhead. I ran a finger along the counter, imagining meals prepared here—quiet mornings, late-night snacks. I wondered briefly if Jungkook ever took the time to cook himself, or if this place was more of a pitstop between his responsibilities.

Satisfied with the downstairs, I decided to explore further, taking the stairs up to the second floor. At the top, there were two doors, one slightly ajar. I approached the open one first, peeking inside. Immediately, I knew it was Jungkook’s.

The room was dark—intentionally so, with thick, charcoal-colored curtains that barely let any light seep in. The walls were painted in a deep slate, with black-and-gray art pieces hung in deliberate places. To the left, a punching bag hung from a sturdy stand, swaying gently as if it had been recently used, and weights lay stacked in neat rows beside it.

The bed was enormous, its dark-gray bedding meticulously arranged, without a single wrinkle in sight. Everything about the room was intense, brooding, like its owner. It felt strangely fitting, as if it was a direct reflection of Jungkook himself. I glanced at the punching bag again, curiosity tugging at me. What did he think about while training here, pouring all his strength into something as unyielding as he was?

Shaking my head, I pulled myself away from the thought and stepped out, closing the door behind me. The second room had a completely different energy.

The walls were a soft, pale color, the bed covered in a light comforter with intricate patterns that felt both delicate and inviting. A small vanity sat near the window, though the mirror was clouded with a fine layer of dust, and a few shelves lined the far wall, empty and waiting to be filled. There were no personal touches, no lingering scent. It felt open, untouched. This must be meant for me.

Feeling a sense of ownership, I began to unpack my things. It felt surreal to be settling into a new space, but as I arranged my clothes in the wardrobe and placed a few of my favorite books on the empty shelves, it began to feel… almost comfortable. My fingers brushed over a small photo I’d brought—a faded image of me with a friend from childhood. I placed it on the vanity, a tiny reminder of who I was before all of this.

After arranging my things, I noticed the vanity mirror was still hazy. Dust and smudges clouded my reflection, and for some reason, it bothered me. I grabbed a rag and climbed onto a nearby stool, stretching up to reach the top corners. As I wiped away the grime, I caught glimpses of my face, more serious than I remembered it being. How much had I changed? Was I even the same person who’d laughed and posed for the photo on the vanity?

Suddenly, the stool wobbled beneath me, dragging me back to the present with a jolt. My heart jumped, and I reached out instinctively, gripping the edge of the vanity as the stool teetered dangerously.

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Author’s Note:

Well, well, looks like our Alpha is trying to focus on rogue problems, but Kyro’s not making it easy, huh? Between avoiding Jiwon’s relentless “Who’s the mystery girl?” questions and fighting off his wolf’s “go find Kkum” demands, Jungkook’s doing more dodging than he ever does in training.

And Kkum? She’s out here settling in like a pro, nearly taking a dive from a wobbly stool while cleaning. Classic Kkum! Stay tuned, everyone—this place is about to heat up, and it’s not just from the rogue sightings!

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