Chapter 2: A Warrior's Return ⚔️🔥

The pain burned deep in Taehyung's chest, an unbearable weight pressing against his ribs. He stumbled back, his breathing ragged, his dagger forgotten on the cold stone floor.

Jungkook-the heir-watched him with unsettling calm, fingers brushing against the furs as if they weren't standing in the aftermath of a failed assassination.

Taehyung's vision blurred for a moment before locking onto the glowing mark beneath his leathers.

A curse. A bond.

His voice came out hoarse, laced with disbelief. "What have you done to me?"

Jungkook tilted his head, eyes gleaming under the dim lantern light. "I told you. You're bound to me now."

Taehyung's fists clenched. "Break it."

Jungkook let out a low chuckle, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. "Do I look like a sorcerer to you?"

Taehyung ground his teeth, every instinct screaming at him to strike, kill, escape. But his body-his own damn body-refused to move against Jungkook. The curse had already sunk its claws deep.

The heir stood, bare feet touching the icy floor, standing toe-to-toe with the assassin meant to end him.

"You're mine now."

Taehyung snarled, fingers twitching toward his second blade-only for a new wave of searing pain to explode in his chest, forcing him to his knees.

Jungkook crouched beside him, voice a whisper against the thick silence. "If I die, you die. So tell me, assassin... what will you do now?"

---

⏳ A Few Hours Later ⏳

The castle halls were eerily silent as Taehyung followed Jungkook through the dimly lit corridors. He wanted to turn back, fight, escape, but the curse tugged at his very bones, forcing him forward.

Jungkook strode ahead, utterly composed, as if he hadn't just chained Taehyung to his own survival.

"Why aren't you afraid?" Taehyung asked, his voice low.

Jungkook smirked, glancing over his shoulder. "Because I know you won't kill me."

Taehyung bristled. "You don't know me."

"Don't I?" Jungkook turned fully now, stepping close. "I've known you for a long time, Taehyung."

A chill crawled up his spine. "...What?"

Jungkook's gaze flickered with something unreadable, something dark. "You don't remember, do you?"

Before Taehyung could press for answers, a sharp sound shattered the air-

BOOM.

The doors to the great hall slammed open, the impact echoing through the stone walls.

A figure stepped in, armored in black, blade dripping with fresh blood.

The air grew thick with tension.

Jungkook sighed, barely looking surprised. "...You're late."

Taehyung's body tensed, instincts flaring at the sheer danger radiating from the newcomer.

A pair of sharp (familiar?) eyes locked onto him, filled with something akin to hatred.

Then-

YN smirked.

"I never rush for dead men."

---

End of Chapter 2

🔮 Who is YN? What is her connection to Jungkook? And why does she already seem to despise Taehyung? 🔥

⚔️ Next chapter will reveal YN's past with Jungkook and the tangled fate that binds them all.

💭 What do you think YN's relationship with Jungkook should be? Ex-lovers? Rivals? A betrayed protector?

📌 Aim: 15 votes to unlock Chapter 3! Drop a comment and let me know what happens next! 👇🔥