Y/N's POV

Sleep eluded me.

I twisted and turned, clutching the sheets as if they held the key to peace. But no matter how tightly I shut my eyes, the vast emptiness of the bed seemed to mock me. I had grown accustomed to Jungkook’s warmth—his presence anchoring me in a way I couldn’t explain. His absence turned the sprawling bed into an icy void, and I found myself restless, longing for something I dared not name.

With a frustrated sigh, I gave up. The cold silence of the room felt suffocating, so I slipped out of bed and onto the balcony, the chilled night air biting against my skin. The moon cast a silver glow over the garden below, painting a serene picture that stood in stark contrast to the chaos in my mind. My gaze fell on the shadows near the trees. Something stirred there—a figure lurking in the darkness. An intruder? My heart pounded at the thought.

I wanted to investigate, to confront whatever—or whoever—was out there. But what if Jungkook found me and assumed I was trying to escape again?

Then let him think about it.

Without hesitation, I leapt over the ledge, my wings unfurling instinctively, carrying me gently to the ground. The soft rustle of leaves greeted me as I landed amidst the lush garden. Towering oak trees loomed overhead, their ancient branches whispering secrets to the night. I turned toward the sound of movement, but before I could pinpoint its source, the bushes behind me rustled, then again from another direction.

I froze, realizing I was surrounded. Shadows materialized into forms, and a low growl echoed in the stillness. My breath hitched as two sets of amber eyes pierced through the darkness, followed by sleek, muscular forms stepping into the moonlight. Dobermans.

The dogs lunged simultaneously, their growls reverberating like thunder. I barely had time to react before they pinned me to the ground, sharp barks ringing in my ears. My back hit the earth, and pain flared as my wings folded awkwardly beneath me. I groaned, the sound involuntarily, and for a moment, the dogs hesitated, tilting their heads in curiosity.

They must be guard dogs.

Before I could move, a soft pattern beside my head drew my attention. A third Doberman approached, its tongue lolling out as it regarded me with curiosity. It bent down, its cold, wet nose pressing against my forehead. The others sniffed at my wings, their breaths warm against my skin. I remained still, unwilling to provoke them further.

"Well, aren’t you magnificent creatures," I murmured, my voice soft, almost melodic. The tension melted away as their tails began to wag. Their growls subsided, replaced by playful nudges as if they sought affection rather than intimidation.

I reached out tentatively, my hands running over their sleek coats. Beneath my fingers, I felt old scars etched into their flesh—a silent testament to battles fought and endured. My chest tightened at the thought. These proud, beautiful creatures had been hurt, yet they still yearned for something as simple as a gentle touch.

We played briefly, their joy infectious. But soon, as if duty called, they stepped away, their postures straightening as they returned to their roles. Watching them retreat, I felt a pang of sorrow. Perhaps I could ask Jungkook to give them a reprieve—though I doubted he’d entertain such a request.

With a wave, I bid them farewell and turned back toward the mansion. My gaze lifted to the balcony, and dread settled in my stomach. The climb was impossible, the smooth stone offering no grip. I had no choice but to take the long way around.

The gravel crunched beneath my feet as I approached the grand entrance. Two guards flanked the doors, their rifles gleaming ominously under the moonlight. They stiffened at my approach, their weapons raised, and my wings instinctively folded tightly against my back.

I raised my hands slowly, mirroring Jungkook’s commanding posture—a calculated move that worked. Recognition dawned in their eyes, and they lowered their rifles, stepping aside with murmured apologies.

Feigning composure, I ascended the spiraling staircase, though my heart raced with the lingering threat of what might have been. Each step brought me closer to Jungkook’s room, but a voice halted me mid-step.

"That’s not what the contract stated, Choi."

Jungkook’s voice—low, cold, and laced with irritation—reverberated through the hall. I edged closer, the slightly ajar door revealing a scene that made my blood run cold.

Inside, an elderly man trembled, his hands raised in futile defense. Jungkook stood before him, a gun leveled at his temple.

"I-I assure you, Mr. Jeon, it’s a misunderstanding—" the man stammered.

"Don’t make promises you can’t keep," Jungkook interrupted, his voice devoid of emotion.

The gunshot rang out, shattering the stillness.

I stumbled back, my knees buckling beneath me as my heart threatened to burst from my chest. The man’s lifeless body crumpled to the floor, but my focus remained on Jungkook. His gaze flickered toward the doorway, and panic surged through me.

"Someone’s here. Clean this up," he ordered, handing the weapon to an associate.

I fled. My wings propelled me down the hallways, each beat of my heart louder than the pounding of my feet. I barely made it to his room before collapsing into the bed, pulling the sheets over me as if they could shield me from the storm brewing within.

I steadied my breathing, forcing my pulse to slow. In the eerie quiet, even the faintest sound could betray me. Jungkook entered moments later, his footsteps soft but purposeful.

"Are you awake?" he whispered, his voice deceptively gentle.

I remained motionless, feigning sleep. He lingered, his presence a suffocating weight, before retreating with a sigh. The door clicked shut behind him, but I didn’t dare relax.

My mind replayed the scene—Jungkook’s cold gaze, the gunshot, the lifeless body. The man I thought I knew, the man who once held me with such tenderness, now felt like a stranger. His hands, capable of both warmth and destruction, terrified me.

Why was I here?

I clenched the sheets tightly, my resolve wavering. I couldn’t deny the truth any longer. Jungkook wasn’t just dangerous—he was dead incarnate, and I was trapped in his orbit.

★———★

Morning arrived, and though I was relieved to have finally succumbed to sleep, I was greeted by the same emptiness that had plagued me the night before. The bed felt vast and cold, its untouched side a silent reminder of Jungkook’s absence.

I frowned, letting the stillness of the room wash over me. Even the birds seemed to have chosen silence this morning, their absence amplifying the void within me. My fingers instinctively clutched the sheets, twisting the fabric as if trying to tether myself to something real. My mind replayed the events of the previous night, each memory cutting deeper than the last.

This was my reality now—a place where danger and dread were constants. If I was going to stay, I’d have to learn to live with it.

A knock at the door startled me, pulling me from my thoughts. Before I could respond, the door creaked open, revealing a familiar head of vibrant red hair and an annoyingly cheerful grin.

Jennie.

I groaned, sinking further into the mattress as she stepped inside.

"So! How’s Jungkook treating you?" Jennie teased, her tone dripping with mischief.

I shot her a pointed look, lifting a hand to gesture dramatically. "And who, pray tell, gave you permission to enter this room?" My voice adopted a mock-posh accent.

Jennie shrugged nonchalantly before flopping onto the bed, draping herself over my legs like she belonged there.

We talked for what felt like hours, her lighthearted banter a welcome distraction from my darker thoughts. But the momentary reprieve was interrupted by the sound of barking echoing from the grounds below.

Curious, we both moved to the balcony. My lips curved into a smile as my eyes fell on the three Dobermans from the previous night. Their sleek forms darted through the garden, their tails wagging furiously as they barked up at me.

“They remember me,” I murmured, a small flicker of warmth spreading through my chest.

Jennie leaned over the railing, her expression shifting to one of utter confusion. She glanced between me and the dogs, her brows furrowed as though trying to solve a riddle.

“What is it?” I asked, tilting my head toward her.

Jennie’s gaze lingered on the Dobermans before snapping back at me. “It’s just… Did you do something to them?”

I blinked, caught off guard. “Do something? Like what?”

Jennie shook her head slowly, her disbelief evident. “Those dogs are supposed to be the most vicious trackers and guard dogs we have. They’re trained to be relentless, merciless, and completely unapproachable. No one—and I mean no one—has ever seen them wag their tails like that. Ever.”

Her words hung in the air, heavy with implication.

“That’s odd,” I murmured, my gaze returning to the trio below. “Maybe they just liked the attention for once.”

Jennie seemed unconvinced. She folded her arms, her expression contemplative. “Nope,” she said with a decisive pop of her lips. “They growl at anyone who even tries to get close to them. I don’t know what you did, but… maybe you’re just meant to be here.”

Her laughter bubbled up as she nudged my side, but I only managed a dry chuckle in response.

Turning back to the horizon, I let my fingers trace idle circles on the marble railing. Jennie’s words lingered, intertwining with the thoughts I’d been pushing away for days.

Was I meant to be here?

The reasons to stay kept piling up, each one more compelling than the last. It wasn’t just the dogs or Jennie’s lighthearted camaraderie. It was something deeper, something tethering me to this place despite the dangers.

I’d told myself a thousand times that I didn’t belong here, that I had to leave. But now… now, I wasn’t so sure.

For the first time in weeks, I felt the smallest sliver of certainty.

Maybe staying wasn’t such a bad idea after all.

★———★

Jennie eventually left, reminding me to rest after dropping off breakfast. But the rest was the last thing on my mind. As soon as she was out of sight, I made my way back to the balcony, climbing down carefully to visit the dogs once more.

I brought the untouched breakfast tray with me, and the moment I set it down, the three Dobermans devoured it with an enthusiasm that made me laugh softly. Sitting beside them, I scratched behind their ears, marveling at how quickly I had grown fond of them.

It didn’t take long for me to notice something—none of them seemed to have names. The thought saddened me. How could these loyal, beautiful creatures not have an identity? I decided to change that.

Pointing to each of them in turn, I introduced their names, repeating them aloud as if cementing the bond between us. Deep down, I knew what I was doing. Each name I gave was another tether, another excuse to stay a little longer.

The first to earn his name was the lively brown-eyed Doberman with a small chip in his ear. I tilted my head, studying him. “Yeontan?” I asked, half-wondering if he’d approve.

His bark was immediate, almost as if he was answering me. I giggled, a lightness bubbling in my chest at his reaction.

Turning to the second dog, I noticed a glint of yellow in her deep, soulful eyes. She wagged her tail with uncontainable excitement, making the choice clear. “Holly,” I said, smiling as she sat obediently, her tail swaying like a pendulum.

Lastly, I turned to the quiet one, the Doberman who had stayed close to my side as if guarding me. There was something about his presence that felt steadfast, unwavering. I looked into his dark, unreadable eyes and smiled.

“And Bam,” I said softly, reaching out to rub beneath his chin. He surprised me by leaning forward and licking my face, the unexpected gesture sending me sprawling back into the grass.

I laughed, the sound echoing in the stillness of the morning. The soft blades of grass cradled my back as the sun bathed my face in warmth. Bam settled beside me, his body pressing against mine as if sharing in the tranquil moment. I couldn’t stop smiling, even as my cheeks began to ache from the sheer joy.

But then the sunlight disappeared, replaced by a looming shadow that fell over me like a storm cloud. My breath hitched, and my heart stuttered at the familiar voice cutting through the serenity.

"What do you think you're doing?"

The words were sharp, laced with an authority I couldn’t ignore. My smile vanished in an instant, replaced by a sinking heaviness in my chest. I didn’t need to look to know who it was.

Jungkook.