Jimin's breath caught in his throat as he sprinted through the forest, the thick branches of the trees brushing past him as he ran. His wolf instincts screamed at him that something was wrong. He couldn't feel Kkum. His mind felt strangely empty, as though a part of him had been cut off, severed from the bond he had always shared with his sister.

He had been out patrolling the pack borders with Yeonjun, scanning for any signs of rogue wolves when he noticed the sudden, eerie absence in his mind. He had tried to mind-link Kkum immediately, but there was no response-no hint of her presence. Panic set in almost immediately.

"Yeonjun," Jimin panted, skidding to a stop. "I have to go back. I can't feel Kkum in the link anymore."

Yeonjun frowned, concern flashing in his eyes. "What do you mean? Maybe she's just blocking you out?"

Jimin shook his head. "No, it's more than that. It feels... wrong. I'm going back to the pack. Something's happened."

Without waiting for a response, Jimin took off running toward the Lunae Pack's territory, his heart pounding harder with each step. He couldn't shake the sick feeling in his gut. What could have happened to Kkum? She'd already been through so much with losing Jong-suk, and the idea that something might be wrong with her made his blood run cold.

By the time he reached the pack's territory, Jimin didn't even bother slowing down. He ran straight toward his father's office, the tension in his chest nearly unbearable. He burst through the door without knocking, his face flushed and angry.

Moon Myeong-wol, the Alpha of the Lunae Pack, looked up from his desk with a steely gaze. "What is the meaning of this, Jimin?"

"Where is Kkum?" Jimin demanded, not caring for the formalities. His breathing was ragged, his eyes wide with urgency. "Why can't I feel her in the mind-link?"

Myeong-wol didn't flinch at his son's tone, but his jaw tightened. "I've sent her to the Lone Wolf Community."

Jimin's heart sank as the words registered in his mind. He stared at his father in disbelief. "You what?" he asked, his voice hoarse.

Myeong-wol folded his hands calmly in front of him, his face betraying no emotion. "She was a distraction. Her presence was weakening the pack. She's been attracting negative attention since Jong-suk's death. It was a necessary decision for the good of everyone."

"For the good of everyone?" Jimin's voice rose, incredulous and angry. "She just lost her mate! She's grieving! How could you do that to her? How can you be so heartless?"

His father's eyes hardened, and he leaned back in his chair, the weight of his authority filling the room. "She's the reason we've faced these problems in the first place, Jimin. The pack has suffered because of her. She's the Moon Goddess' curse, and I did what needed to be done for the greater good."

Jimin's hands clenched into fists, trembling with barely restrained fury. "She's not a curse! She's your daughter!" he shouted. "What about what's good for her? You sent her away like she's nothing! Like she's some problem to be solved!"

Myeong-wol stood abruptly, his alpha presence bearing down on Jimin with crushing force. "I'm the Alpha of this pack. My decisions are for the survival of the Lunae Pack. Don't question me." His voice was low and commanding, his eyes locked on his son. "What's good for the pack comes first, and right now, she was a liability."

Jimin stood frozen, rage and heartbreak swirling within him. He couldn't believe it-his father had truly cast Kkum aside as if she didn't matter. He felt the sting of betrayal in his chest, a deep, cutting wound.

"I'm getting her back," Jimin said, his voice shaking with emotion. "No matter what you say."

Myeong-wol's eyes narrowed, his alpha tone cutting through the air. "You will do no such thing, Jimin. I'm the Alpha here, and I'll do what is best for this pack."

Jimin glared at his father, but he knew there was nothing he could do against his alpha command-not now, not like this. He stormed out of the office, slamming the door behind him, his heart pounding in his chest. His mind raced with thoughts of Kkum-of how she must have felt, abandoned and alone in that community.

He needed to find her. He couldn't just leave her like this.

Without hesitation, Jimin mind-linked Taehyung. "Meet me at my house," he commanded, his tone urgent.

"On my way," Taehyung responded, no questions asked.

When Jimin arrived at his house, Taehyung was already there, leaning against the porch railing, waiting patiently. His expression was serious, though there was a flicker of sympathy in his eyes.

"How did you let him do this?" Jimin blurted out the moment he reached him, his voice laced with anger. "How could you just stand by and watch as he sent her away?"

Taehyung sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "You know I can't go against the Alpha's orders, Jimin. No one can."

Jimin ran a hand through his hair, pacing in frustration. "She's been through enough. How can he do this to her after everything she's been through? I couldn't even talk to her before she left-she tried to reach me, but I was busy dealing with those rogue wolves." His voice cracked slightly, and he clenched his fists. "I should have been there for her."

Taehyung's face softened, and he took a step closer to Jimin. "I know, Chim. But we can't change what's already done. She's at the Lone Wolf Community now. Near the Moonlight Pack's border-they're the ones who support the community."

Jimin's heart dropped. "Near the Moonlight Pack?" His mind raced. The Moonlight Pack-Jungkook's pack. The one they had so much bad blood with. The thought of Kkum being so close to the pack that had been involved in Jong-suk's death made him feel sick.

"I want to see her," Jimin said firmly. "She tried to reach me, and I wasn't there. She must feel so alone."

Taehyung nodded, his expression understanding. "I'm going to visit her tomorrow. You can come with me if you want. But for now, you need to rest, Chim. You've been running on empty."

Jimin hesitated for a moment, but the exhaustion was catching up to him. His mind was still racing, but he knew Taehyung was right-he needed to rest if he wanted to be strong enough to help Kkum.

"Alright," he muttered, his voice heavy with regret. "Tomorrow, we'll go see her. But I swear, Taehyung... I won't let her stay there. She doesn't belong in that place. She deserves better."

Taehyung placed a reassuring hand on Jimin's shoulder, his voice steady. "We'll figure it out, Jimin. For now, just rest."

Jimin nodded, though the weight of everything still pressed down on him. He would find a way to make this right. No matter what it took.

________________________

As Kkum carefully set up her new cabin, her heart weighed heavily with the reality of her situation. She had done her best to put her thoughts aside for the time being, focusing on arranging the few belongings she had brought with her. The cabin was modest—simple wooden furniture, a bed against the far wall, and a small table near the window that overlooked the dense forest beyond. It was nothing like the home she had shared with Jong-suk in the Lunae Pack. That place had been filled with warmth and memories, but here… here, everything felt cold and distant, like her heart.

The creak of the door startled her from her thoughts. Kkum turned, expecting it to be someone official or perhaps a pack member from the community. Instead, an older woman with a kind face and warm eyes stood at the threshold, her smile gentle but curious. Her graying hair was tied back in a loose bun, and she had the air of someone who had lived through much but still carried compassion.

"Are you the new member?" the woman asked softly, stepping further into the cabin. Her voice had a motherly warmth that immediately put Kkum at ease, though it didn’t do much to lift her spirits.

Kkum nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yes. I’m Moon Kkum."

The woman’s eyes softened even more, and she came closer, studying Kkum with a mixture of sadness and understanding. "Omo, you’re too young for this to have happened to you, my child," she said sadly, placing a gentle hand on Kkum’s arm. "But it’s okay, everything happens for a reason, even if we don’t understand it at the time."

Kkum offered a faint smile, grateful for the woman’s kindness but not entirely sure how to respond. The old wound of losing Jong-suk felt too fresh, too raw, for her to fully accept any comfort.

"I’m Soomin, by the way," the woman continued, patting Kkum’s arm lightly. "I help new members settle in, make sure they don’t feel too lost in all of this."

"Thank you," Kkum said quietly, her gaze dropping to the floor. She didn’t feel ready to meet anyone, but she supposed it was inevitable. If she was going to live here, she would have to at least try to fit in.

"Come now," Soomin said, her voice brightening a little. "Let’s go meet everyone. It’s a small community, but we’re like family here. You won’t feel alone for long."

Kkum hesitated, not sure if she was ready to meet anyone, but there wasn’t really a choice. Soomin was already pulling her gently toward the door. "Are you from which pack, dear?" Soomin asked as they stepped out into the fresh air.

Kkum’s chest tightened slightly at the question. "Lunae Pack," she replied, her voice quiet and strained.

Soomin stopped in her tracks, her eyes widening in surprise. "What? The Lunae Pack?" Her voice was filled with disbelief. "But that pack is still…" She trailed off, clearly confused. "How come you’re here, child?"

Kkum’s throat tightened as she searched for an answer. She didn’t want to explain everything, not to someone she had just met. The truth of her exile from the Lunae Pack still stung, and she wasn’t ready to delve into that pain. Not yet.

She forced a small smile, hoping to divert the conversation. "Let’s just go meet everyone, aunt," she said, trying to sound casual, though her heart was heavy.

Soomin’s gaze lingered on her for a moment, but the older woman seemed to understand that Kkum wasn’t ready to talk. With a gentle nod, Soomin dropped the subject and led Kkum down the dirt path that wound through the community.

As they walked, Soomin filled the silence with stories and information about the Lone Wolf Community. It wasn’t a large group, but it was close-knit. Wolves who had lost their families or mates, wolves who no longer had a pack to call home, had found solace here. The community was a place of healing for some, a final refuge for others.

"We don’t have many rules here, but we look out for each other," Soomin explained. "Most of the wolves here keep to themselves, but once you’ve been here a while, you’ll find your place." She gave Kkum a sideways glance, her voice lowering a bit. "I know it’s hard, but this place can be a fresh start."

Kkum only nodded, her thoughts drifting as Soomin continued to talk. She didn’t feel like this was a fresh start. It felt more like she was being abandoned, sent away to a place where no one would care if she stayed or left. Her father had chosen this for her. No matter how much she told herself she could handle it, the reality was overwhelming.

"Do you know who our Alpha is?" Soomin asked, suddenly brightening. "He’s a strong leader, wise beyond his years. You’re in good hands here."

Kkum barely registered the question, too lost in her own thoughts. Her eyes wandered, taking in the surroundings—the cabins, the trees, the scattered wolves she could see in the distance. It felt surreal, like she was watching everything from a distance, detached from it all.

"You’ve probably heard of him," Soomin continued, not noticing Kkum’s distraction. "Jeon Jungkook, Alpha of the Moonlight Pack."

The name didn’t register with Kkum immediately. It was just another piece of information in the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside her. She was too focused on keeping herself together to truly listen.

"Jungkook?" she murmured absently, her eyes unfocused.

"Yes, yes," Soomin said with a nod, clearly impressed. "He’s young, but his pack is strong. We’re lucky to have their support."

Kkum didn’t respond, her mind elsewhere. Soomin’s voice became background noise as they continued walking, and Kkum felt the weight of everything pressing down on her. The reality of her situation was settling in deeper with each step she took through the community. She had a family, a pack, yet she had been sent here, to a place where wolves went when they had nowhere else to go.

Her throat tightened with sadness, but she pushed it down. She had promised herself that she wouldn’t be weak anymore. Whatever fate had in store for her, she would face it.

As they approached a gathering of wolves further down the path, Kkum took a deep breath, bracing herself. Soomin gestured toward the group with a smile, introducing her to the other lone wolves, but Kkum barely registered the names or faces. She nodded politely, exchanged a few words when necessary, but inside, she felt numb.

Soomin continued chatting, but Kkum’s mind wandered. Her thoughts were a swirl of confusion, sadness, and uncertainty. She couldn’t help but wonder what would come next. Where did she go from here? What was her purpose now?

As the introductions finished and they began to walk back to her cabin, Kkum felt a dull ache in her chest. She had been sent away, separated from her pack, and now she was left to figure out what her life would become in this strange, lonely place.

She didn’t know where she was going, but she would face it. Alone, if she had to.

 ⁠♡♡ ⁠♡♡

As Kkum walked back to her cabin, the weight of her new reality settled heavily on her shoulders. The once-warm connection to her pack, her family, was now a distant memory. The loneliness that had always been at the edge of her heart after Jong-suk’s death had now fully engulfed her. She had been abandoned, sent away to a place where wolves without purpose lived.

But even as the sadness threatened to consume her, a spark of defiance flickered within. She had vowed not to be weak, not to let anyone—or anything—break her spirit. As much as her heart ached, as lost as she felt, Kkum knew one thing for certain: she would not give up.

Whatever lay ahead, she would face it, head held high, even if she had to do it alone.

With a deep breath, Kkum stepped back into the small, lonely cabin. She closed the door behind her, sealing out the world for the night, and whispered to herself, "I’ll survive this. I have to."

And for the first time in a long while, she believed it.

☆

Authors note:

Hey lovely readers! I hope you enjoyed this chapter and could feel Kkum's struggle and emotional turmoil. It’s never easy being cast out, especially after losing someone you loved, but Kkum is a fighter, and her journey is just beginning. There's so much more to unfold—secrets, truths, and maybe even unexpected bonds!

Thank you for sticking with this story and watching as Kkum faces the unknown. Your support means everything to me! Keep reading because the twists and turns are far from over.

Let me know what you think of this chapter—comments and feedback fuel my writing! Stay tuned, and until next time, stay wild! 🌙

Love,
lavendermiso🪻

♡♡ ⁠♡♡