Y/N's POV

Today is the day that I am, supposedly, to be crowned Queen of Jungkook's gang.

And the mere thought of it makes my heart race with nerves.

The mansion is buzzing with frantic activity, the air thick with anticipation as preparations for the grand celebration unfold. Gangs from every corner are arriving, their presence turning the entire estate into a hive of chaos and excitement. This is no ordinary occasion; it is a momentous event—one that will mark the beginning of a new chapter.

From what I’ve gathered, such a ceremony is a rarity, one that holds far more significance than I initially imagined. Most gang leaders, I’ve learned, engage in this tradition not for love, but out of lust, a fleeting need for dominance and control. Their hearts rarely have room for anything beyond their own desires.

But Jungkook… he is not like them. He isn’t driven by fleeting passions or shallow intentions. He deserves to know true happiness, to experience the warmth that love can bring, and I am honored that I can stand by his side, supporting him in the way he deserves.

-

I woke up to the cold emptiness of the bed beside me. The sheets were too crisp, too still, without the warmth of his presence. A soft groan escaped my lips as I shifted, about to reach out for him, when I heard the shuffle of movement at the head of the bed.

Lazily, I lifted my head, squinting through the haze of sleep, and there he was—Jungkook, his back turned to me. He was still without a shirt from the night before, wearing only black pants stained with splotches of crimson. The faint, unsettling sheen of red clung to the fabric, a reminder of something I couldn't yet understand. His back was marked with large scars, each one a deep, jagged reminder of battles long fought, wounds that had likely healed but never truly disappeared. They seemed to ache still, even if only in silence.

I slid out of bed and approached him, my steps slow and deliberate as my fingers traced down his arm, over the veins and ridges of his muscles, until they reached his hand. His knuckles were raw, torn open with blood seeping from the damaged flesh.

When my gaze lifted to meet his face, I saw the remnants of the night etched there—blood smeared across his chin and under his eyes, the shadows of exhaustion sinking deeper into his features. His gaze, though, avoided mine as I gently took his hands in mine, noticing that his fingers clutched at a roll of bandages, his desperation to tend to his wounds more than apparent.

"I don't know how to... put these on," he muttered, his voice rough and strained.

A wave of sympathy washed over me, and I smiled, soft and tender, before guiding him to sit on the couch. My heart ached as I kneeled before him, the man who carried so much in silence, letting him rest in my hands, in my care. I wrapped the bandages gently around his bruised knuckles, the white fabric contrasting with the bloodstains, offering him a touch of comfort he so clearly needed.

As I finished, I let go of his hands and sat beside him, watching as his exhaustion overtook him, his eyes fluttering closed. A frown creased my brow, worry creeping in as I noticed how deeply tired he truly was.

"What were you doing last night?" I asked, the words tumbling out before I could stop them.

His head turned toward me, but his eyes—those golden eyes that seemed to hold the world within them—remained downcast, avoiding mine.

"Work…" he muttered, his voice low and almost distant. I could hear the faint tremor of something unspoken beneath his words.

I raised an eyebrow, my skepticism clear, but before I could say more, he sighed, his lips pressing into a tight line. "Dealing with a rat in the gang."

"You're overworking yourself, Jungkook," I said softly, my concern threading through the words.

He scoffed in response, the sound bitter, as though he didn't believe in the luxury of rest. "It's true, you need to have time for yourself," I pressed, not backing down.

Finally, his eyes met mine, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I saw a flicker of something—a softness, a hesitation. My mind raced with a sudden thought, a playful idea that made me smirk.

"Since I'll be 'Queen,' you can spend all day with me tomorrow and show me the ropes," I suggested, my voice light with mischief.

I saw him pause, weighing my words in his mind, and after a moment, he finally agreed. The relief that flooded my chest was palpable, and I couldn't help but clap my hands together in delight.

But there was something in his gaze, a glint of mischief that caught my attention before he leaned closer, his smirk widening. "Even though we'll have plenty of quality time tonight," he teased, and my breath caught in my throat as I realized he had moved, his body now pressing against mine, trapping me beneath him.

Before I could react, to pull away or protest, he simply rested on me, his face burying itself into the crook of my neck. A tremor of surprise passed through me, making me squirm momentarily, but then I relaxed. I knew better by now—Jungkook wasn't going to let me go anytime soon.

I could feel the warmth of his breath against my skin as he inhaled deeply, as if savoring my scent, before exhaling in contentment. And, without thinking, my fingers found their way into his dark hair, twirling the strands around my fingers, brushing through it in a comforting, almost absentminded motion.

For what felt like hours, the only sound in the room was the rustle of the trees outside and the steady rhythm of our heartbeats—mine quickening in his arms, his calming as he rested. I felt safe. Safe in his embrace. Safe in the midst of everything that was wrong in this world.

I felt safe with a criminal.

A breath hitched in my chest, my heart accelerating once more, and Jungkook, sensing the change, lifted his head to look at me, to ask why. But before the words left his lips, there was a sudden knock at the door, pulling us both out of the cocoon we had woven around ourselves.

A groan rumbled in his chest as he shifted away, his body reluctantly releasing me. I couldn't help but laugh softly at his frustration, knowing he would much rather remain lost in this moment than face whatever awaited him outside.

He walked to the door, his posture rigid, and I could hear the sharpness in his voice when he spoke. "What?" It wasn't a question, but a demand.

I couldn't see the figure on the other side, but the fear in their voice was palpable. I stood up beside Jungkook, offering the worker a bright smile, one that seemed to ease their tension as they delivered the message.

"You are needed for the preparation, Sir. And Ms. Y/n is requested for the ball gown dressing." The man spoke, his voice trembling.

Jungkook nodded stiffly, his eyes locking with mine as he closed the door and turned toward me.

"I'm sorry I have to go so soon, Angel," he murmured, kissing my forehead gently. His lips lingered for a moment before he straightened, heading to change into his dress shirt and blazer. The sleekness of his attire was at odds with the rawness of his soul, but in some strange way, it made sense.

As he puffed his wings out, I waved him off, my heart feeling a small pang of longing as I put on a simple jumper and shorts to head toward the dressing room.

-

As I pushed open the grand doors, I was immediately greeted by a flurry of activity. Workers buzzed around the room, hurriedly tidying up the mansion in preparation for the night’s grand event. Yet, as soon as I stepped inside, everything came to a sudden halt. The bustling atmosphere faltered, and a hush fell over the room as the workers turned to face me. Without a second thought, they bowed before me, showing their respect before returning to their tasks with renewed urgency.

A small smile tugged at my lips as I stood there, observing the lively buzz around me. It was surreal to think that all of this—the chaos, the anticipation—was happening because of me. I made my way to the designated spot where I was to meet the tailor, my heart fluttering with the weight of what was about to come.

As I approached, Lia greeted me warmly, alongside another woman who was there to present my dress. I followed them into a room, where I quickly undressed and slipped into the stunning ball gown that awaited me. The fabric was a soft, delicate masterpiece, and as I walked back out to face the workers, the room fell silent once again. Their gazes locked on me in awe, their eyes wide, jaws dropping. I felt a flush of embarrassment creep up my neck, but I couldn’t suppress the smile that spread across my face.

A woman ushered me into a chair, and soon, Lia was attending to my hair while another lady began working on my makeup. Lia chatted with me about how incredibly fortunate I was to be in this position. Her words lingered in my mind—though I didn’t fully understand why I had earned such fortune, I knew one thing for certain: I was grateful. Grateful for this moment, for the life I was now living, for the man I had beside me.

Once Lia was done, she stepped back, turning my chair so I could see myself in the mirror. My breath caught in my throat. The makeup was nothing short of perfect—subtle yet striking. A light smoky eye framed my gaze, and my lips were adorned with a shade that complemented the dress beautifully. My hair cascaded in soft curls, falling over my shoulder like a ribbon of midnight silk. It was magnificent.

I took a moment to thank the women for their impeccable work before walking over to a jewelry box. My fingers hovered over the gold pieces, eventually selecting a pair of earrings and a necklace to pair with the gown. Just as I was about to admire my choice, I felt someone rush past me, nearly knocking me over.

Before I could react, I was enveloped in a hug, and I instantly knew who it was. A grin stretched across my face as I turned to face Jennie, radiating happiness like I had never seen her do before. She was wearing the red gown I had gifted her, and it looked nothing short of stunning. She thanked me profusely, a thousand times over, and all I could do was laugh, my heart swelling with joy at her joy.

The clock read 4 pm, and the party wouldn’t start until 6 pm. With ample time left, I decided to help the workers with the final touches. Despite their insistence that I sit and relax, I couldn’t bring myself to do so. I moved around the mansion, assisting in setting up decorations, even reaching areas that the maids couldn’t quite get to. When the clock finally struck 5:30 pm, I bid the workers farewell and dashed back to the dressing room, just in time to catch sight of Eunwoo and Jennie standing hand in hand, exchanging a moment I wasn’t supposed to witness.

As soon as they heard me whistle, they both froze, their eyes widening in panic before pulling apart as if nothing had happened. I raised an eyebrow at them, amused by their flustered expressions.

"Hey, Y/N," Jennie greeted, her voice tight with embarrassment, and I winked at her, teasingly gesturing to Eunwoo, who was practically glowing red.

The room fell into an awkward silence, and I couldn’t resist any longer. With a dramatic sigh, I opened the door and playfully shooed them out. “Alright, you two can go dance and make out while I wait in here,” I said in my most theatrical tone. They both chuckled at my act, exchanging a quick glance before bidding me goodbye. I sank into one of the armchairs, my mind momentarily quiet as I prepared myself for the grand entrance ahead.

As I closed my eyes, leaning back to clear my mind, one thought lingered at the forefront of my mind, a constant whisper that refused to fade.

Today was the day my life would change forever.

This would be the day I would officially become the so-called Queen of the most feared and sought-after gang—the Ares Gang. It was an announcement that would echo throughout the room, marking the irreversible shift in my life. There would be no going back after tonight.

A soft knock at the door interrupted my thoughts, and as I rose from my chair, I was greeted by a shy-looking maid peeking around the corner.

“You are requested to arrive at the ball entrance, Ms. Y/N,” she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

I nodded in response, offering her a kind smile, before following her down the quiet hallways. As we neared the large doors, the sound of a booming voice reached my ears. I instantly recognized it as Jungkook’s.

Standing just behind the door, I could see two guards positioned by the entrance, one of them being Eunwoo. I waved at him, and he returned the gesture with a casual salute, signaling to me that I should likely spread my wings. I obliged, and he gave me a thumbs up, causing me to stifle a quiet laugh as I listened to Jungkook’s voice carrying from the other side of the door.

Jungkook was making an announcement to the gathered crowd, and from the sounds of it, the gathering was massive. Eunwoo leaned in to explain to me that before I was officially introduced, the gang members would take a blood oath, pledging their allegiance to the Queen. The thought of it struck me as both beautiful and terrifying.

"I will honor this woman as my one and only, no matter the circumstances, and never let my heart fall for another," Jungkook’s proud voice echoed, and my heart fluttered at his words.

A tremor of anticipation ran through me as I began to step forward, my name soon ringing out in his voice.

“I shall present to you...  Lee Y/N, your new Queen!” he boomed, and with that, the doors were flung open, blinding light spilling into the room.

As I stepped into the threshold, the room erupted in applause. The gang members roared their approval, and I made my way toward Jungkook, who stood at the center of it all. My face flushed with the weight of the attention, but his presence beside me made it all feel just a little more bearable.

“You look beautiful, Angel,” Jungkook whispered in my ear, his voice low and intimate as he pulled me closer, my hips pressed against his. I couldn’t help but laugh softly, the warmth of his words making everything feel surreal.

With the crowd still cheering, Jungkook surveyed them for a moment before turning his gaze back to me. He pulled me in front of him, his lips brushing just inches from mine.

“We’ve got to please the crowd…” he murmured, and before I could respond, his lips crashed onto mine. The applause grew louder around us, and I could feel the warmth of his lips on mine, the world narrowing down to just the two of us.

In that moment, I felt complete. Safe. I felt like I had finally found where I truly belonged.