"Taehyung!" Bogum gasped, when he saw how dejectedly Taehyung walked as he passed through the gates of the Metal Village. He rushed over to his friend, putting a hand on his shoulder and looking into his eyes. Taehyung's normally happy and lighthearted eyes were now dark and full of sadness. "What happened?" Bogum asked, concerned for his friend.

"Bogum..." Taehyung sat down suddenly, as if he didn't have the strength to support himself anymore. Bogum sat down with him, making sure that Tae was okay. Taehyung covered his face with his hands, and Bogum could see crystal teardrops fall from his eyes. "My mate... he rejected me."

Bogum gasped. He could believe that anyone could ever reject someone as pure of heart as Taehyung. Whoever his mate was, he was an asshole.

"H-he said that he doesn't want me or anyone as his mate, and if I stepped into his territory again, he would... he would kill me!" And with that, Taehyung completely broke down, crying against Bogum's shoulder while the latter tried to comfort him. "I don't even know his name or human form hyung! All I know is that his wolf is white with blue eyes... and so beautiful. I wish he would at least give me a chance."

Bogum stiffened at the younger's words. "Tae... did you just say a white wolf with blue eyes? As in an Omega?" Taehyung dried his tears on his tunic sleeve as he looked up. "Yes, why? I don't care about the fact that he's an omega, you know."

Bogum shook his head. "I don't have anything against him for being an omega. It's just that... there is a solitary white wolf who lives in the hills north of here. All we know is that he's an Omega and a former member of the Solar Pack. That might be your mate."

Taehyung was surprised to say the least. Especially the part about the Solar Pack. The Solar Pack was a legendary fighting pack composed of some of the best warriors the werewolf world had ever seen. But it was also notorious for its treatment of Omegas. They were used almost like servants, and had to listen to everything the Alphas told them, no matter how unfair it was. If his mate came from that pack, no wonder he hated Taehyung! To him, Taehyung must have seemed like another heartless Alpha ready to claim him for his own.

Suddenly, the younger stood up. "I'll prove myself to him! I"ll prove that I'm worthy to be his mate! Then he might give me a second chance!"

Bogum licked his lips. "Ah, Tae, do you think that's a good idea?" The latter turned to face him, confused. "Yes, why? Is there something I need to know?"

"Actually, yes. Along with being vicious fighters, members of the Solar Pack are also known to keep their word. If your mate really threatened to kill you, I don't see any reason why he wouldn't carry out his warning. Don't go Tae, there are many other suitable wolves in the world. Why not choose a much safer mate?" Bogum expected Taehyung to nod, and agree that he wouldn't try such a foolish thing.

Instead, the younger just smiled.

"Bogumie, I appreciate the concern, but there's really no need. I don't plan to love anyone other than my mate, so why not give it a try. If I truly die, then at least I'll die knowing that I tried everything I could to win my mate's affection. And besides," Taehyung pulled a sheathed dagger from his sash, "I'm a formidable fighter. I definitely won't hurt my mate, but I won't give up easily."

Bogum just frowned, trying one last effort to make Taehyung see reason. "But what will happen if you die? Think of the Half Moon Pack Taehyung; who will be their Alpha if you're gone. It's not like you have any children yet to take your place."

"Then Yoongi will be a more than appropriate leader for them," Taehyung replied confidently. "And Jimin will make the perfect Luna."

Bogum sighed in defeat, shaking his head. 'It's crazy, what love can make people do' he thought. Out loud, he added. "Then promise me that you'll go after the meetings are concluded. I don't want you running off and missing the most important days of discussion. That's what you came to do in the Metal Village in the first place anyways. Deal?" Taehyung grudgingly agreed, though he looked like he wanted to rush out of the gates right at that moment. Bogum smiled.

"Then I wish you the best of luck, Tae. I hope everything turns out well for you and your mate."

Taehyung nodded, hugging Bogum. "Thank you Bogumie. I knew you would understand. I have to go meet Yoongi and Namjoon hyung now, so I'll see you tomorrow." Waving one last goodbye, Taehyung ran in the direction of the Edifice, quickly being swallowed up by the bustling mass of people.

Bogum waited until he was sure that Taehyung was gone, then pulled out an emerald hilted dagger from his robes, along with a small vial filled with yellow liquid. Unsheathing the weapon, he revealed the razor sharp blade, made of lethal silver. Pausing to look at his reflection in the metal, he unscrewed the top of the vial and poured the yellow substance so that it was fully coating the knife. Slowly but surely, the liquid soaked into the dagger, becoming almost invisible in the evening light.

Wolfsbane and Silver. A deadly combination.

Smirking, Bogum returned the weapon to its sheath, and put the now empty vial in a pouch tied to his waist. Shaking his head in mock sadness, he stared at the spot where Taehyung had disappeared just a few minutes ago.

"Poor Taetae," he sang while slowly standing. "So easy to manipulate. Why don't you realize? You and your little mate are both little pawns in my game. I'll be the one deciding your future. I'll be the ruler of you all." He paused. "But, if the prophecy is correct, one of you will die. Hmm... which one will it be? Hard, Alpha Taehyung? Or cute Omega Jeongguk?" Bogum grinned like he had told a funny joke.

"But it doesn't matter. All of you will die eventually. Every. Single. One. Of. You. It's only a matter of time." Bringing his dagger out, Bogum caressed it like a lover. "And I think I'll start tonight."

☆☆☆

The next two days were utter hell for Taehyung. At least once every 5 minutes, he would look outside the big stained glass windows, wondering what his mate was doing. The meeting he had been looking forward to for the past week now seemed to be dragging on forever. He wished it would end quickly.

When he had told Yoongi and Namjoon about meeting his mate, Yoongi dropped the dagger he was polishing, and Namjoon choked on his tea. Both stared in disbelief as Taehyung retold the story of the encounter. Yes, they had expected him to find his soulmate, but not so soon. And neither of them had expected their future Luna to be an Omega. In the end, both hyungs agreed that Taehyung should take the process slow and make sure that his mate felt comfortable with his presence. They had even agreed to stay in the Metal Village three additional days so that he could have more time to bond with his Omega. At that moment, Taehyung thought he had the best hyungs ever.

Then Namjoon accidentally spilled hot tea all over the younger, and Yoongi decided now was the perfect time to tell everyone the long and sappy story of how he and Jimin met. Needless to say, the earlier feeling disappeared quickly.

On a different note, the Elder who had explained the rules on the first day was assassinated in his house later that day. He was pronounced dead on the spot; stabbed straight through the heart. The healers had said it was the combination of Wolfsbane and Silver which had killed him. They were still trying to find the culprit, but the search seemed to be in vain. The murderer had disappeared without a trace; whoever they were, they were definitely no amateur. This news sent shock waves through the Alphas gathered for the meeting.

Bogum in particular seemed deeply distressed about the Elder's death, as many wolves in the meeting were. He had known the Elder for ages, he said, and couldn't believe that his death should be so untimely.

Taehyung sympathized with his friend, knowing that it must be hard to lose someone close to you. Even he, who had only known the old wolf for a day, knew how much his death would impact the werewolf society. He was proven right when, the next day, a great funeral was given in honor of the deceased Elder, coupled with a procession to follow. After they reached the cemetery, every Alpha had to throw a handful of dirt into his grave. Taehyung thought that Bogum enjoyed this part a little too much, but paid no attention to it.

One more day until he could see his mate.

Finally, it was the last day, and Taehyung was feeling pretty proud of himself. He had managed to set up a trade deal with the Acrux Pack, and an alliance with Shadow Valley, (Bogum had insisted).

The only problem he encountered was when faced with the Alpha of the Solar Pack. He was a burly man, with dark red hair and calculating eyes. He had proposed an armory deal, but Taehyung quickly turned it down. He didn't even want to see the face of the man who turned his mate out of their pack, much less make a deal with him.

"I hate that man," Taehyung growled to Bogum after, his eyes turning red. His friend patted him on the shoulder to calm him. "I know Taetae. He's a man with a lot of power and prestige, but very little heart. I heard that he even used his mate as a servant for 3 years. You're right not to have made a deal with him."

Taehyung clenched his hands into fists, wanting to throttle the Alpha for his behavior. No wonder his mate left the pack! It seemed to only care about strength and force but had no feeling for its wolves.

Suddenly, the gong chimed 12, signalling that the meeting was over. Since the committee hadn't decided another Elder to oversee the assembly yet, all the wolves simply parted ways, waving goodbye to friends along the way.

Bogum hugged Taehyung. "I have to go back, Tae. It takes 4 days to get back to Shadow Valley, so I want to start as soon as possible. As soon as I finish some last minute business deals, I plan on leaving. Sorry that I can't stay longer."

Taehyung shook his head, smiling. "Don't worry Bogumie. I understand. I think that I'm going to stay three days longer than I intended anyway. We'll meet each other at the next meeting right?"

Bogum grinned, clapping the younger on the back. "Of course we will Tae! And I wish you the best of luck with your mate. Send me a letter when you have everything sorted out!" He pushed Tae lightly towards the exit. "Now go on, I know you've been waiting for this day."

Taehyung nodded, turning towards the village gates. "See you next year Bogumie! I hope everything goes well for Shadow Valley!" And with that, took off towards the forest, running as fast as he could.

As soon as Taehyung left, the smile on Bogum's face turned positively evil. "Oh Taetae, we'll meet much sooner than that. I promise."