Moon Kkum

I broke through the trees to the sight of a figure lying on the ground, with Beta Min kneeling beside him. As I drew closer, my breath caught in my throat. Jungkook lay motionless, his skin pale, his breathing shallow. Beside him, Yoongi knelt, his face as cold and expressionless as ever, but his hands trembled as he checked Jungkook's injuries.

A surge of panic flooded my veins, and before I knew it, Elysia had fully taken control. I dropped to my knees beside Jungkook, gathering his head in my lap with a tenderness I didn't understand. My fingers brushed his cheek, feeling the chill of his skin, and my heart clenched at the sight of him in this state.

And as I gazed into his face, his eyes flickered open, locking onto mine with a whispered word that sent shivers down my spine: "Mine." But before I could respond, his eyes rolled back, and he lost consciousness, his body going limp in my arms. I screamed his name, but it was drowned out by the sound of my own heartbeat... and the faint whisper of Jungkook's voice, echoing in my mind:

"Mate."

Jiwon's car screeched to a halt behind us, her footsteps approaching quickly. Without a word, she took in the scene, her face contorted with worry. Together, we lifted Jungkook into the car, and I refused to let go, holding him in my lap as the car sped toward the Wise Woman's dwelling.

When we finally arrived, the Wise Woman-a revered figure within the Moonlight Pack for her healing abilities and ancient wisdom-ushered us in with a calm urgency. Her hands moved deftly over Jungkook, assessing his injuries with a practiced eye. "He's been through quite an ordeal," she murmured, her gaze shifting to me briefly, a strange glimmer in her eyes.

"Will he be okay?" I asked, my voice trembling.

She nodded, placing a soothing hand on my shoulder. "He'll be fine. He just needs rest to heal. But if he has a mate, keeping them close will speed his recovery."

My heart pounded as I registered her words. Mate. Could Elysia be right? Could Jungkook truly be... mine?

Jiwon placed a comforting hand on my arm. "Kkum, if you're okay with it, you should stay with him tonight."

Nodding, I settled into a chair beside Jungkook's bed, my hand instinctively finding his. As he lay unconscious, his chest rose and fell steadily, the color gradually returning to his face. Despite the confusion and fear swirling in my mind, a sense of calm settled over me as I watched over him. Elysia was purring softly, her possessiveness ebbing now that Jungkook was safe and within reach.

I don't know when exhaustion claimed me, but when I awoke, sunlight was filtering through the window. My head rested on the bed, my fingers still entwined with his, and I blinked blearily as I felt Jungkook shift beside me.

Slowly, his eyes fluttered open, and he turned his head slightly to meet my gaze. His voice was rough, barely more than a whisper. "Kkum..."

I sat up, relief flooding through me. "Are you okay?"

A faint smile tugged at his lips, though he looked weary. "Yeah, I think so."

I hesitated, then squeezed his hand. "I'll get you some water."

But as I started to rise, his grip tightened, holding me in place. "Stay," he murmured, his voice soft, almost vulnerable. "Just... a little longer."

My heart fluttered, and I nodded, settling back into the chair. The silence between us was thick with something unspoken, a warmth that felt foreign yet comforting. After a while, his eyes drifted shut again, and he slipped back into sleep, his breathing steady and calm.

I lingered by his side for a while longer before quietly leaving the room to prepare breakfast. Just as I was finishing up in the kitchen, Jiwon came downstairs, looking groggy but relieved.

"Did he wake up?" she asked, rubbing her eyes.

I nodded. "He woke up briefly. He's sleeping again now."

Her face softened. "Good. He'll need rest to recover fully."

After a brief breakfast, Jiwon gestured toward the garden. "Want to get some air?"

I followed her outside, where we found a sunny patch of grass and sat down, the warmth of the morning sun soothing my nerves. Silence settled over us for a moment before I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts.

"What happened yesterday..." I hesitated, the words heavy on my tongue. "Why did I react that way to Jungkook? And why did Elysia call him..." My voice faltered, unable to finish the sentence.

Jiwon met my gaze, her expression thoughtful. She seemed to choose her words carefully. "Kkum, have you ever considered that maybe... Jungkook is your second chance mate?"

The ground seemed to shift beneath me, and I shook my head, the idea too overwhelming to process. "No... I don't believe in second chances like that. My mate-he's gone, and I can't..." My voice broke, memories of Jong-suk's death flooding my mind. The pain was still fresh, a wound that had never truly healed.

Jiwon reached out, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. "I know it's hard to accept, especially after what you went through. But maybe the Moon Goddess has her own plans."

I looked down, struggling to hold back the storm of emotions roiling within me. "It's too much, Jiwon. I don't know if I can go through that kind of loss again. The idea of having a mate only to lose him..."

"I understand," she said softly. "But don't push it away just because you're scared. Give it time, and maybe... maybe you'll see things differently."

I offered her a weak smile, though my heart was still heavy with doubt. After a while, we headed back inside, and I went to check on Jungkook.

Returning to Jungkook's room, I found him stirring, sensing my presence before he even opened his eyes. A faint smile played on his lips as he looked up at me.

"Good morning," I said softly, setting a tray with water and breakfast beside him.

He tried to sit up, wincing slightly, and I moved to help him, arranging the pillows to support his back. "You didn't have to stay with me all night," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Just rest," I replied, brushing off his gratitude. "After what happened, you need it."

Jungkook's dark gaze lingered on me for a moment, something unreadable flickering within. He took a sip of water, and just as he was about to say something, a light knock sounded at the door.

It was Jiwon and Yoongi, their expressions tense as they stepped inside. Jiwon forced a smile, though worry shone in her eyes. "How are you feeling, Jungkook?"

He gave a faint nod, attempting a reassuring smile. "I'll be fine. Just need a little time to heal."

Yoongi, who rarely showed emotion, looked visibly tense. "Do you remember anything about the attack?"

Jungkook's expression darkened, his jaw tightening as he replayed the events in his mind. "Not much," he admitted. "It happened fast... wolves ambushed near the southern border. They didn't smell like any pack I know."

"Rogues?" I asked, my voice tinged with unease.

"Possibly," Jungkook muttered, frustration evident. "But this felt coordinated. There's something more to it."

Jiwon folded her arms, her brows knitting together in worry. "If they were organized, it's likely someone powerful is behind it."

Silence fell over us, each of us lost in our thoughts, the weight of the situation pressing down. Finally, Jiwon cleared her throat, forcing a smile to break the tension. "Well, we're glad you're okay, at least. I'll leave you to rest."

She glanced at me before leaving, as if silently urging me to stay. Yoongi gave a respectful nod and exited with her, leaving me alone with Jungkook once more.

After they left, I busied myself with straightening the room, but my mind was swirling. As much as I tried to ignore it, Jiwon's words kept creeping back. Second chance mate. The term felt foreign, uncomfortable even. I'd barely survived losing Jong-suk, and the idea of fate binding me to someone new-it was a concept I wasn't prepared to face.

"Are you all right?" Jungkook's voice drew me back, his expression concerned.

I forced a small smile, hoping to hide the conflict raging inside me. "Yes, just... thinking."

He studied me for a moment, then nodded. "You should rest, too. You look like you haven't slept."

I chuckled softly. "You were the one fighting off an ambush, and you're worried about me?"

He shrugged, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. "Can't help it. Guess it's just... natural."

The way he said it, so quietly, with a look that held more than simple concern, made my pulse quicken. I tried to brush it off, but something about his gaze-intense and unyielding-left me unable to look away.

"I'll let you get more rest," I murmured, stepping toward the door, desperate to break the spell that seemed to linger between us.

But as I reached for the handle, Jungkook's hand shot out, gently grasping my wrist. "Kkum," he said softly. "Thank you... for everything."

I met his eyes, feeling a warmth that was both comforting and frightening. "You don't have to thank me, Jungkook."

His hand lingered on mine for a moment longer before he released me, and I slipped out of the room, my mind racing. Every fiber of me was screaming to deny the connection that had sparked between us, yet Elysia's insistent whispers of "Mate" wouldn't stop echoing in my mind.

Downstairs, Jiwon was waiting for me, her expression soft with understanding as I walked out

Downstairs, Jiwon was waiting for me, leaning casually against the kitchen counter, though the look in her eyes was anything but casual. She gave me a knowing smile, one that hinted she'd been waiting for this conversation. I couldn't help but feel she'd sensed every unspoken thought lingering in my mind.

"Hey," she greeted, feigning nonchalance, but her eyes glinted with something deeper. "How's he doing?"

"He's... he's okay," I replied, unsure how much to reveal. The quiet intimacy that had passed between Jungkook and me was still fresh, making my heart race just thinking about it. "Just needs to rest. He should recover soon."

Jiwon nodded, her expression shifting to one of relief. She motioned for me to sit, and I joined her at the small table by the window, where sunlight streamed in, casting a soft glow across the room. For a while, we just sat in silence, the hum of quiet filling the air, though I sensed she had something on her mind. I could feel her eyes on me, studying me with an intensity that left me a bit self-conscious.

"Can I ask you something, Kkum?" Her tone was gentle, but there was a firmness beneath it, as if she was preparing me for something significant.

"Of course," I said, my hands clasped nervously in my lap.

She took a deep breath, folding her hands in front of her as she leaned forward. "Yesterday, when you ran to Jungkook... the way Elysia reacted, the way you both reacted-it wasn't just concern. I think you felt it, too. Didn't you?"

I hesitated, not entirely sure how to respond. The memory of Elysia's fierce possessiveness, her overwhelming need to protect Jungkook, flooded my mind. My wolf had howled for him, the connection undeniable and raw, yet I'd been fighting it, clinging to the belief that my mate had been lost long ago. But Elysia's reaction had shattered that certainty, leaving me torn and unsettled.

"I don't know," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "Elysia's been... different since I came here. But I don't understand why."

Jiwon's expression softened, and she reached across the table, placing a comforting hand over mine. "Sometimes, the Moon Goddess grants second chances. I know it sounds overwhelming, and I know you've been through a lot. But Kkum... I really think Jungkook might be your second chance mate."

The words hung in the air, heavy and terrifying. I couldn't help but pull back, shaking my head as a mix of emotions swirled within me-fear, denial, hope. Losing Jong-suk had left a scar too deep to heal, a pain I hadn't fully come to terms with. To think of bonding with another, to think of risking that kind of heartache again-it felt impossible.

"Jiwon, I... I don't know if I can accept that," I said, my voice wavering. "I'm not ready. Losing Jong-suk... it nearly destroyed me. I don't think I can go through that again."

Jiwon's gaze was steady, filled with a compassion that made my chest ache. "I understand. I can't imagine the pain you've endured. But sometimes, second chances aren't about replacing the love you lost. They're about finding a new path, a new kind of connection. Maybe... maybe you and Jungkook are meant to heal each other."

Her words struck a chord deep within me, but fear held me back. I looked away, swallowing hard. "I just... I'm not sure I can open myself up to that. I don't know if I can handle it."

Jiwon nodded, her hand squeezing mine reassuringly. "Take your time, Kkum. You don't have to make any decisions now. Just... be open to the possibility. You never know what might happen if you let yourself feel."

I took a shaky breath, her words settling into the depths of my mind. Maybe she was right, but fear remained a powerful barrier, a wall I wasn't sure I could break down.

After a moment, Jiwon gave me a small smile. "Well, enough of my serious talk. Let's go outside. I could use some fresh air."

We walked out to the garden, where the morning sun had begun to warm the earth, casting soft shadows across the grass. We settled down on a bench, our conversation drifting to lighter topics as we soaked in the peaceful atmosphere.

But even as we laughed and talked, my mind kept wandering back to Jungkook, to the connection I'd felt so intensely. And deep within, Elysia stirred, restless yet calm, as if sensing something I was too afraid to acknowledge.

Maybe, just maybe, fate had woven a new thread into my life. Whether I was ready to follow it was a question I couldn't yet answer. But as I sat there with Jiwon, feeling the warmth of the morning sun, I couldn't help but feel the faintest flicker of hope.

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Author's Note:

Do vote and comment for the next chapter!!!

Thanks for sticking with me, and I'll see you all in the next chapter... if you help make it happen!"

- lavendermiso