If you were to ask Jeon Jungkook, "why him of all people?" he would surely shrug and say, "because he is Kim Taehyung", which is pretty much the same answer he gave Taehyung when the subject was brought up.

From very early on, it was clear to Jungkook that some things happened for no reason at all. When his older brother would come home from school bruised and crying, he failed to find meaning to Jungmin's suffering. "I fell down the stairs," quit being convincing after Jungmin had used the excuse three times in a row within a fortnight.

Jungmin did not like to talk about 'the world outside'. It was up to Jungkook to figure out why words such as 'dirty mut', overhead in the kitchen when he was supposed to be in bed, had triggered his hyung's anger and the subsequent call from the school's head teacher.

To the five year-old boy, gratuitous cruelty was what awaited beyond their front door because no one was going to convince him that his brother deserved to be miserable. He questioned it with all tender might but was denied a clear answer. "Hyung will take Taekwondo lessons. Hyung will be fine."

Except he wasn't. Jungkook determined never to cross that threshold until he felt strong enough to face what lurked beyond. With that in mind, he would often compare his height with that of Jungmin's, as well as the size of their hands. If his hyung's bigger fists were not enough to defend himself, what use could he make of those tiny mitts of his?

Back then, it was common for Jungkook to be lulled to sleep by his hyung's quiet sobs, deafening reminders of his own powerlessness.

'Make me strong. Make me big. Make me brave so I can protect my brother,' was the candid plea he'd recite every evening before falling asleep with the hope that one morning, Jungmin would wake up with a smile on his face instead of puffy red eyes.

And when that morning came, Jungkook figured some things did occur for a reason because Jungmin looked thrilled, excited, and happy. Finally.

What had happened during the night, Jungkook did not know, but his wolf had manifested for the first time and he had embraced it, allowing it to take over. He'd lost the ability to express himself with words, but yaps and licks seemed enough to cheer his brother up and that alone brought great comfort to Jungkook's youthful heart.

By the time they sat at the breakfast table, however, the mood had changed. Jungkook noticed how Jungmin's face had hardened under undeserved reprimands. Their mother insisted he must have taught his younger brother how to shift, something Jungkook had never seen him attempt, but voicing his protest would mean leaving the wolf cub behind.

The choice was an easy one to make. In fact, it was his first conscious decision and he felt very good about it.

After all, his wish had come true and his paws, however small, were already lined with tiny claws. This alone was a promising start. The world outside could be cruel, he had a few tools to fight back. He just needed to sharpen them a little.

So he snuck out and waited by the door until it was time for Jungmin to leave for school. He refused to see his brother off with spirits so low he could breathe his gloom from across the room. He heard them call for him but did not answer, too busy hiding and also, perhaps, a bit distracted by the thousands of smells hitting his nose all at once.

The plan was simple. Jump out and surprise his hyung with lots of laps until he had no choice but to laugh and ask for mercy. Unfortunately, Mother caught him before he could carry it out and he was locked inside for the rest of the morning. He'd find a better hideout tomorrow. And all the days after that.

These slurpy greetings were to become a routine. And every time they left the house, Jungkook would venture a little further into the unknown. By the end of the month, he'd walk all the way to school with his brother, and be there waiting for him when the bell rang after the last class.

"You can't be here!" Jungmin had tried to reason with him numerous times. "What if you shift again? What if someone recognises you?" Jungkook did not listen, confident his disguise was perfect because, well, it was no disguise at all. He was a wolf everyone mistook for a dog because wolves don't stand by school gates at three every day. No one suspected anything. In fact, Jungmin received a few compliments on how well he'd trained his pup who would greet him with much tail wagging before proceeding to inspect his legs, knees, and hands, licking the fresh cuts on the bruised skin. "Hey, don't worry. It's just a paper cut. It really is."

Hyung is a bad liar.

There were a few instances where he had shown teeth to a few kids who had crept up from behind with sticks and stones in their fists, their intentions obvious as the ugly smirk on their faces.

That's how he discovered his growl. Even Jungmin had jumped a little, and Jungkook promised himself to use it only when necessary.

As for his mother, it was a different story. Exploring his newfound canine existence was out of the question. Much less enjoying it. The cub endured several weeks of daily lectures on why he should release the beast inside him because it was part of "the life we left behind", a phrase that hardly meant anything to Jungkook. These monologues were boring and useless. Hyung wasn't crying at night and that was all he cared about.

Eventually, the scolding stopped. "Stubborn to the core, just like your dad." Jungkook's wolf merely flinched at the comparison.

He'd met his father a few weeks after his shift, while tracking a familiar scent. That's what kept him occupied most of the day. He'd trail the source of unknown odours, fine-tuning his sense of smell in order to focus on those that mattered. Fear. Salty and sour like the sweat dripping down the neck. Anger. Tangy bitterness that could burst into stench if uncontained. Even his mother's desperation had a distinct whiff. It smelled like a pot of cold bean paste stew, forgotten on the stove.

The waft he had picked up was not his own. Of that he was certain. It lured him well beyond the borders of his neighbourhood, to the nearby mountain he had never explored before. When the noisy city turned quiet, the beast showed itself. Despite its adult size, Jungkook was not afraid. Their scents were too similar. The grey wolf circled him twice before jumping on his collar and biting his ear. It did not hurt, which Jungkook took as a cue that playing had begun.

They ended up chasing one another for the rest of the day, deeper in the mountains, until the shapeshifter transformed into a tall, well-built stranger Jungkook only recognised because of the few pictures he'd seen at home. "Come on, show me your face, pup!" The man had not raised his voice and his request was no command, but it sure felt like one to Jungkook who almost listened. Something about the tone, soft yet crisp at the same time, urged docility. The light was now pink from the sun setting beyond the bushy crests, and the cub suddenly recalled he had somewhere to be. He jumped on his paws and sprinted down to the city, nestled in the grooves of Seoul's mountain range. He did not look back, convinced they'd meet again soon. His five-year-old heart needed to believe fathers don't just leave their families behind for no reason. Whatever drove his dad away did not keep him far off. Their encounter had been proof of that.

Jungmin's bright smile when he returned soon turned into shock when he noticed the dirt his fur had gathered. "If Mum sees you like that, she might keep you locked inside from now on." The threat was real and Jungkook hurried into the bathroom. Jungmin did his best to wash the grime away, emptying half a bottle of shampoo in the process. It then took about five towels to pat him dry and when the boy finally sat at his desk to do homework, Jungkook was more than happy to lay on the floor by his feet. The day had been long and exhausting.

Many more would follow.

Exploration and discovery became routine and by the time Jungkook turned fifteen, Seoul and its suburbs had no secrets left to uncover. Coincidentally, his father had declared his training over. "You'll do just fine on your own, pup. As long as you stay away from trouble and lie low among the non-wolf kind."

He could hunt in the mountains, as long as he buried his leftovers. If humans were to find animal remains that looked like they'd been devoured by sharp fangs, they would no doubt hunt him in turn.

No howling allowed. Ever.

And keep the growling to a minimum. They muzzle dogs for simply appearing dangerous.

The rules were easy enough to follow. Until one day, Jungmin did something he'd never done before. He brought someone home. And Jungkook's whole world turned fragrant.

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I hope you enjoyed JK's side of the story so far. Which POV would you be interested in reading next? (I already have something plan but I'd like to hear your thoughts.)

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Thank you for reading ~♡