Welcome back to TKT.

I'm sorry that it's taken me this long to update this book, I've been really focused on ending Dynasty and starting up Mist. I hope you didn't think I forgot about this work.

For all of you who may be wondering, Mad Hatter Taehyung is my favorite in the story so far.

I created a TikTok account, feel free to follow me if you wanna. My username is TaeTae_lyfe!❤️

That is all.

You may go.

Enjoy!

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Your eyes were soft as you stared at the sleeping man before you, hands gently running through his darkening white hair as you inspected him closely.

When the sun had come up, the sleeping wolf had transformed back into his human form, the Jimin you had come to know and care for.

Hoseok helped you lift him up and take him back to the mill where is was warm and sheltered away from the snow that slowly fell outside.

Hoseok managed to start a small fire with the tricks he had learned in the boys scouts when he was younger and you tended to Jimin, making sure he didn't wake up alone while Hoseok was out getting firewood.

When Jimin had transformed back into his human form, a small part of the wolf was still visible. Jimin's usually golden hair had turned white upon his transformation, matching the shade of his wolf's fur. You thought the change may be permanent, until you noticed the blond hue beginning to come back.

It must take time for his hair to become normal again.

You smiled to yourself, fingers tracing his jaw as you inspected his features.

Jimin sighed, leaning into your touch as he slept.

You didn't know if it was the adrenaline of almost dying, or the shock of seeing Jimin transform into a large beast, but you weren't scared of him...even when he approached you so menacingly in the woods, you never thought he would hurt you...after all, you knew that it was still Jimin, even if only a small part...and Jimin would never hurt you...

You wished that you had known about his other half, but you could understand why he his it away from you and the rest of the world...he probably felt ashamed...he had been treated like a monster his entire life...he probably didn't want the same treatment from you.

But, even in spite of this new development, you don't think you could view Jimin as anything more than what he was....a good person.

Your eyes drifted away from the man in your lap as the mill door slowly opened, revealing a snow-covered Hoseok, arms full of wood as he entered into the warmth.

He closed the door behind him, shedding himself of his cloak as he mad his way over to you, placing some of the wood into the fire place, eyes glancing over at Jimin.

"Still sleeping?" He asked softly, looking at you.

You nodded, fingers raking over Jimin's scalp gently.

"I think the transformation tired him out." You explained quietly. "He's completely out of it."

Hoseok's eyes softened on your figure as he moved his gaze to the window of the mill.

"Did you know about ...him?"

You shook your head, eyes snapping to his figure.

"No." You said. "He never told me about...this..."

"You didn't even read about it?"

Your brows furrowed, head tilting to the side in confusion.

"I don't think I've ever read the version of the story where the beast is actually a werewolf."

Hoseok's face dropped.

"I meant; you didn't read about it....in The Pages?"

Your eyes widened slightly at the mention of the powerful book, head shaking instantly.

"I-I didn't read their story..." You answered honestly. "I only read stranger's stories..."

Hoseok frowned.

"Why?" He asked. "Don't you want to know how our story ends?"

You swallowed hard, eyes returning to Jimin's face.

"No." You answered honestly. "I tried....but I couldn't bring myself to read how everyone's life turns out...I don't-I don't want to know if any of you die...or are lost forever...."

The archer's face softened at your words, hand running through his hair.

"I can understand that." He sighed out. "But, I think you should familiarize yourself with the book....even if you don't read our stories...If you really are The Keeper....you'll need to know about your people..."

"I don't have the book." You gritted. "And even if I did...why would I want to be The Keeper?"

Hoseok's eyes widened slightly at your question.

"Because it's who you ar-"

"It's not who I am." You snapped. "I-If I were really some great Keeper, then I wouldn't be constantly running away. I would be able to protect myself. I would be able to help people around me. I would be able to save Taehyung-"

"Y/n."

Hoseok's deep voice interrupted your rant, causing your eyes to snap up.

Hoseok moved over to you, cupping your face with his hands.

"Taehyung chose to stay behind." He muttered. "I need you to know that it isn't your fault that he's not here...he stayed behind to protect us-to protect you....You can't continue to deny who you are because you feel like you've failed him...he wouldn't want that..."

Your bottom lip trembled at his words, e/c eyes scanning over his face.

"I don't think I can do this." You whispered. "If being The Keeper means I have to constantly leave behind the people I love...I don't think I can do it.."

The orange haired archer leaned forward, his hands petting your hair as he rested his chin atop your head.

"Maybe you can't," He started softly. "Maybe you can....you'll never know unless you try."

You opened your mouth to speak, but the sound of Jimin stirring into consciousness interrupted your thoughts.

Hoseok smiled softly, pulling away from you and standing to his feet.

"I'm gonna go check on the horses." He explained,

You nodded your head, watching as he walked over to his saddle bag, pulling out a covered object and placing it on the small wooden table.

"I manged to grab this from your room before we left." He stated. "If you find time, you should read it."

You furrowed your brows, watching as he pulled on his cloak, walking back into the snow.

"Y-Y/n?"

Your gaze slowly trailed down to the tired man laying on your lap, eyes softening as you stared at his wide, blue eyes.

"Good morning, sleepyhead."

Jimin let out a soft sound of discomfort as he raised himself from your lap, hands ruffling his hair.

"W-What happened?" He husked.

You sighed.

"You-You transformed.." You stated. "You transformed and saved us from the Red Knights."

You watched as Jimin's expression fell suddenly, his bright blue eyes narrowing at your words, body scooting further away from yours.

You could clearly see the waves of different emotions that swept over his face, but the most prominent one was shame...

He was ashamed of his wolf form...he was ashamed that he transformed in front of you..

"Jimin, I-"

"Don't." He interrupted softly, arms wrapping around himself. "Don't pity me."

Your eyes softened as you slowly began scooting in his direction.

"I thought you were beautiful." You stated.

Jimin's eyes snapped up at your words, his brows furrowing.

"How can you say that?" He asked. "I'm a monster....a murderer and that's all I'll ever be.."

"You protected me." You argued. "You made sure I was safe and kept me warm throughout the night....if it weren't for you...I would be dead right now..."

He shook his head, eyes staring at the floor.

"You can take care of yourself...I only made things worse...what I did to those men...what you had to witness.."

His words trailed off as his blue eyes moved to meet yours.

"Jimin," You sighed out, hand moving to rest on his cheek. "You are not a monster...The way you were treated when you were younger is unacceptable. You are perfect just the way you are...you shouldn't be ashamed of being what you were born to be."

"I was born to be cursed." He snapped, head jerking away from your touch. "Jungkook was born to be with the princess...he was the one destined to live happily ever after...I'm just the curse he has to bear. I'm the thing holding him back and when our story is over...I'll still be alone and unhappy-trapped with my monster."

You frowned at his words, head hanging slightly.

"You're the only one who gets to decide that," You stated. "If you don't accept yourself for who you are, then the rest of your life will be lonely and full of pain...but if you realize that your "curse" doesn't define you, you'll be able to be happy one day...You'll be able to move past all of this."

Jimin let out a heavy sigh, running his hands through his white hair.

"I never wanted it to be this way," He said honestly. "I never wanted you to see me like...that."

You shook your head, moving closer to him.

"I won't tell anyone your secret." You assured softly, nudging him playfully with your elbow.

He smiled at you.

"Thank you, Y/n." He whispered, smiling as you rested your head on his shoulder.

You planted a kiss on his hair.

"What can I say, except you're welcome?"