Jeon Jungkook

As soon as I stepped into the house, I was hit by a scent—a warm, inviting mixture of vanilla and rain, like a fresh downpour against warm skin. The kind of smell that clings to you and makes you want to drown in it. My heart jolted, and Kyro, my wolf, stirred inside me, restless and alert.

The instant recognition of the scent made Kyro’s hackles rise, a low growl rumbling within me as he muttered one name with fierce possession.

“Kkum…”

I steadied myself, gripping the doorframe as I fought to keep control. Kyro was nearly clawing his way out, the need to be near her pulsing between us like an unbreakable chain. I could feel his emotions swelling, almost blurring the line between us. He wanted her, our mate, near, and nothing else mattered.

She’s here… she’s close.

But something shifted—Kyro’s aggression flared into distress, a gut-twisting panic that sent shivers through my entire being. Without thinking, I let Kyro surge to the forefront, barely containing him as he took control, his instincts sharper than my own.

I bolted, following her scent down the hall, until I saw her.

Kkum was teetering on a stool, her arms stretched as she cleaned the dusty mirror, oblivious to the precarious angle. As the stool wobbled, she lurched, her body tipping dangerously to one side. Kyro snarled, a primal fury blazing through him at the sight. Before I knew it, we’d closed the distance, and with a swift, almost desperate movement, I caught her just as she was about to fall.

“Got you,” I murmured, voice rough, barely recognizable as my own. Kyro’s instincts softened as I steadied her in my arms, his manic urgency ebbing as he realized she was safe, held close against me.

Kkum’s eyes were wide, her breathing shallow as she took in the situation. I felt her small hands gripping my shirt, grounding herself, but the touch did more for me than she’d ever know. Her face was mere inches from mine, and I could see the rapid rise and fall of her chest, mirroring the storm brewing inside me.

Time slowed. Her hazel and purple eyes locked onto mine, unblinking. In that moment, it felt like the whole world was silenced, as if it was just the two of us in the universe. The pull between us was fierce and undeniable, stronger than anything I’d ever felt. Kyro’s anger had melted into something deeper, something raw and consuming. I couldn’t look away.

A feeling I couldn’t put into words rose inside me, filling every part of me. Like I’d found something I didn’t even know I was searching for. I could see it in her eyes too—the faint recognition, the hesitation, like she was questioning what she felt as much as I was. But neither of us moved or broke the connection. It was… haunting, captivating, and impossible to ignore.

And then, as if the universe itself couldn’t leave us alone, a low whistle sounded from behind, snapping us both out of the trance.

“Well, well, so she’s the one, huh?”

Jiwon’s voice was tinged with mischief, her eyes bright with barely contained amusement as she leaned casually against the doorframe. My grip on Kkum tightened instinctively before I quickly, reluctantly, released her, setting her down gently on her feet. She glanced away, her cheeks flushed as she composed herself, clearly embarrassed by the attention.

Jiwon smirked, crossing her arms. “Didn’t mean to interrupt… whatever that was. But I think I’d like to know a little more about this ‘guest’ of ours.”

I shot her a warning glare, though Kyro was simmering with pride, unbothered by Jiwon’s teasing. I felt the need to protect Kkum flare even stronger, an undeniable instinct that left no room for questions.

Clearing my throat, I forced myself to act composed, meeting Kkum’s hesitant gaze with a reassuring nod. “Let’s… get you settled, Kkum,” I said, as calmly as I could manage.

But as she looked away, still catching her breath, I knew that no matter how hard I tried to play it off, this encounter had stirred something within me that I couldn’t ignore.

And Kyro wasn’t planning on letting me forget it anytime soon.

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After Jiwon interrupted the moment with Kkum, I knew there’d be no escaping her questions. She dragged me to my room, closing the door behind her with a determined look. I’d seen that look enough times to know she wasn’t leaving until I gave her answers.

"Alright, spill it," Jiwon demanded, crossing her arms and settling into a chair across from me. "Who is she, Jungkook? And don’t even think about brushing me off this time."

I ran a hand through my hair, taking a steadying breath. "Her name is Kkum," I started, unsure of how much to say. "She’s... my second-chance mate."

Jiwon's eyes widened, but she kept silent, encouraging me to continue.

"I met her through the Lunae Pack," I went on. "Kyro was… relentless. He knew instantly, even before I could process it. And I think that recognition shook her too, even if she doesn’t fully understand why."

Jiwon leaned forward, her brows knitting together in thought. "Does she know? About you being her mate, I mean?"

I shook my head. "I don’t think so. She’s too guarded, too wary. It’s like she’s pushing the truth away, almost as if... as if she's afraid of it."

A glimmer of understanding crossed her face. "Maybe she’s been through things you don’t know yet," Jiwon said softly. "Losing someone, even once, can make people… closed off. Especially if she’s coming from a pack that just lost so much to rogues."

Her words struck a chord. I could tell Kkum was carrying pain, maybe even scars she hadn’t shown anyone. And here I was, hiding the one truth that tied us together in ways neither of us could avoid. But the idea of telling her—of revealing that she was mine, destined to be my mate—felt like a heavy gamble, one I wasn’t sure she was ready for. Or maybe, one I wasn’t ready for.

"When are you going to tell her?" Jiwon asked, her gaze piercing.

"Never," I replied quickly, maybe too quickly. I heard the edge in my voice, a stubbornness that didn’t sit well with Kyro. But I couldn’t help it. My world had been shattered once before, and I wasn’t ready to risk it again. Not yet.

Jiwon sighed, the tension in her shoulders easing only slightly. "You can’t avoid it forever, Jungkook. She deserves to know. Keeping it hidden will only complicate things for both of you. Trust me on this."

She had a point, but I wasn’t ready to accept it. I turned away, making it clear that the conversation was over.

“Fine," Jiwon huffed, standing up with a shake of her head. "But think about what I said. She’s here now, and she’s staying. You’re both bound by something bigger than the past, bigger than just the two of you. And if you don’t open up, you’ll only push her further away.”

She lingered at the door, hesitating as if deciding whether to say more. And then she finally looked back, her voice softer but serious. "Oh, and… Taejoon’s coming back soon. He misses you, you know."

Hearing Taejoon's name felt like a punch to the gut. Jiwon must’ve sensed the tension that rolled off me because she pressed on, her gaze unwavering. "You need to get yourself together before he’s here. When he returns, he’ll have questions for you—and for her, too. So, do yourself a favor and figure things out, Jungkook. Make things right with Kkum while you have the chance. She deserves a real choice, even if you’re afraid of what that might mean.”

I clenched my jaw, her words sinking in more deeply than I wanted to admit. As she walked out, I found myself alone, left with the weight of everything I’d been avoiding.

Kyro stirred, unsatisfied. He wanted her; he wanted our mate, the one the Moon Goddess had chosen for us. And as much as I tried to deny it, I knew he was right.

But even as the urge to claim her pulsed within me, the haunting memories of my past, of the mate I’d lost, kept me silent.

Taejoon would be here soon, and with him would come reminders of a life I could never reclaim. But maybe… maybe Kkum was meant to be a part of this new life, if only I could bring myself to let her in.

But could I take that risk again?

The question lingered in the silence of my empty room, unanswered, and far too heavy for the broken pieces of me to carry alone.

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Happy Halloween, ARMY! 🎃👻 Let’s celebrate with a little extra love for our favorite boys!

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Author's Note:

And there you have it—Jungkook finally getting a taste of what we call "destiny" (or a sudden rescue from a questionable stool situation). Poor guy didn't even see it coming! But hey, Kyro’s got his priorities straight, right?

Now, I know you’re all wondering if our stubborn alpha will finally open up to Kkum… or if he’ll keep giving everyone—including himself—a hard time. facepalm But you know, he's only just started this wild emotional rollercoaster, so stay tuned for more chaos, awkward sibling commentary, and maybe a little heart-to-heart if we’re lucky.

Your votes and comments seriously fuel me like coffee on a Monday morning (but, you know, way better). So, let me know what you think! Are you Team Kyro (who clearly has a one-track mind) or Team Jungkook, still trying to figure things out? Don’t forget to hit that little star and let me know your thoughts below. Thanks for reading, and see you in the next chapter!

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