Ch-24

As the sun began to sink below the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow over the crystal-clear surface of the lake, Jimin made his way towards the familiar lake where he knew Luna would transform into a swan. His heart swelled with a mix of anticipation and tenderness as he imagined the moment he would lay eyes on her once more. Jimin's gaze settled on the familiar swan clutch clutched in the swan's beak, and a smile tugged at the corners of his lips. It was a clear sign that this was indeed his beloved Luna. The sight of the clutch served as a symbol of their connection, a constant reminder of her presence even in her avian form. Jimin's heart ached with love and desire to be by her side.

The swan gracefully moved through the water, paddling with a gentle, fluid motion. As she turned around, her gaze met Jimin's, and a shy expression washed over her features mirroring a hint of embarrassment. Despite being in her avian form, her emotions and mannerisms were unmistakably those of Luna. Jimin chuckled softly, his smile widening as he observed her bashful reaction to his presence. Jimin chose a spot near a towering tree, leaning against its sturdy trunk as he continued to watch Luna swimming in the lake. A soft, ethereal smile played upon his lips; his eyes filled with an affectionate gaze. Jimin's heart swelled with tenderness as he took in the sight of her, the grace of her movements and the serene beauty of her swan form captivating his every thought.

A small entourage of cute animals, who were known for their affection towards Jimin, bounded over to him, seeking his attention. He chuckled softly and knelt down to greet them, gently stroking their fluffy heads and returning their playful antics with a fond smile. For a moment, his focus shifted from Luna to the adorable creatures showering him with affection, filling his heart with warmth and joy.

A group of hunters, roaming around, found a swan. One of them smirked and whispered to others, "isn't that swan too pretty to wander around like that?" their expression and voice were speaking their intentions not good. Other man whispered, "should we hunt her then?" The hunters' gazes locked on the elegant swan, exchanged murmurs and whispers. The first hunter's words echoed in their ears, his tone laced with greed and desire. "She does look quite fetching, doesn't she?" A sinister smile tugged at his lips as he posed the question to his companions. The second hunter responded with a sly nod, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Perhaps we should make her ours, then. A swan like that would surely fetch a good price."

Jimin's attention remained fully occupied with the adorable creatures surrounding him, blissfully unaware of the dangerous situation developing in the background. Meanwhile, the hunters moved with stealthy steps, their eyes fixed on the unsuspecting swan. They crept closer and closer, their presence going unnoticed by both Jimin and the swan. The sudden grab of the hunter sent a wave of panic through Luna's swan form. Helpless and unable to communicate nor fly, she struggled to free herself from the hunter's grasp. Her eyes darted towards Jimin, desperate to seek his help and comfort. Fear consumed her as she realized her vulnerability, her attempt to run towards him hindered by the hunter's firm hold.

Jimin's wings, sensitive and attuned to his surroundings, suddenly stirred involuntarily, as if they were responding to some invisible force or danger. A subtle flutter and twitching betrayed their alertness, signaling that something was amiss. He frowned slightly, feeling a hint of unease as he glanced down at his wings, puzzled by their strange behavior. Jimin's heart sank as his gaze fell upon the dire situation unfolding before him. The joyous moment of playing with adorable animals was abruptly shattered as his eyes landed on Luna, held captive by the hunters. A wave of shock and fear washed over Jimin, freezing him in place for a brief instance. His expression morphed from surprise to anger as he quickly rose from his crouched position.

Acting swiftly, Jimin unfurled his wings in a wide arc, the rush of air against them adding momentum to his flight. With determination etched on his face, he propelled himself forward, cutting through the air with powerful beats of his wings. The distance between him and the hunters with Luna shortened rapidly, his flight closing the space in a matter of seconds. Jimin, with concern and anger in his voice: "Hey, what are you doing?! Let her go! Now!" The hunters, startled by Jimin's sudden appearance and the sight of him flying, instinctively took a step back. However, despite their initial surprise, they maintained their grip on the swan. Fear flickered in their eyes, but their determination to keep hold of Luna didn't waver.

"And why should we leave her? We held her first, we won't leave" The hunter's words, filled with stubbornness and entitlement, intensified Jimin's irritation and anger. His jaw clenched, a frustrated scowl etched on his features as he retorted.

"Because she's not a possession to be claimed. Let her go, now."

Jimin's voice took on a stern, forceful tone as he emphasized his command. His wings twitched slightly, a sign of his growing impatience and determination to protect Luna.

The hunter with glasses observed Jimin closely and whispered something to his companions. One of the other hunters, looking nervously at Jimin's crown, posed a tentative question.

"A-are.. y-y-you b-by chance... prince?"

Their voices trembled and their eyes widened as the realization sank in. Jimin's regal demeanor and the glint of his crown seemed to confirm their suspicions.

"So what if i am? You have no right to hunt animals especially swan like free birds. Leave her this instant or face consequences" Jimin's voice filled with anger.

The hunters, now fully aware that they were in the presence of a prince, nervously exchanged glances. Their initial confidence began to waver as they faced Jimin's stern and authoritative voice, filled with anger and determination. One of them gulped and spoke up.

"P-Prince, we... we didn't know, we swear."

Another chimed in, his voice quivering. "We thought she was just a regular swan. We meant no harm, Your Highness."

"I said leave her"

The hunters, sensing the seriousness in Jimin's tone and expression, decided to heed his command. They knew they could no longer argue or act stubborn in front of royalty. One of them reluctantly released his grip on the swan, allowing her freedom. The others followed suit, and soon, Luna was no longer held captive by their grasp.

Jimin gently gathered the swan form of Luna into his arms, holding her close against his chest. He turned his back to the hunters, shielding Luna from their gaze as he walked away, ensuring her safety. Anger still simmered within him, but his primary focus was on getting Luna to a safer place. As he carried her, Jimin whispered softly to her, his voice filled with reassurance and tenderness.

"You're alright now, love. You're safe with me."

Jimin cradled Luna's swan form gently as he carried her to a secluded lake where no one else was present. He carefully placed her on the calm waters of the lake, ensuring she was out of harm's way. A soft, tender smile tugged at Jimin's lips as he looked at Luna's swan form, her feathers glistening in the sunlight filtering through the trees surrounding the lake. He sat down on the bank, keeping a watchful eye on her.

Jimin was taken aback when Luna suddenly hugged him, her human form now embracing him tightly. It was the first time he witnessed her like this, tears streaming down her face as fear and vulnerability replaced her usual tough exterior. Jimin wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer and holding her tightly. He gently stroked her hair, his voice soft and soothing as he whispered,

"It's okay, love. I'm here. You're safe now."