Royal Puppy Love

CHAPTER 13

DINING HALL – JUNGKOOK POV

Everyone was gathered, but Jimin was not present yet. There was avid talk around the table because now that both Faith and Claire had finally shifted, that meant that Hwan was the last of the group. The girls were excited to talk with Jimin and all of them discuss their experience.

I was happy that they were so close to him although it did make me burn with jealousy that they always looked for him all the time.

Claire: 'Where is Prince Jimin? I saw him earlier heading to the garden, but he never is late for meals.'

Queen Charlotte: 'He met his brother today and has learned a lot about his past, so has a lot of things to think about. You all eat up and we can prepare a plate for him.'

Hwan and the girls nodded. I looked out the French doors, hoping to get a sense of him. Minjun was sure he was still at the north end of the garden, so I didn't worry too much. He was just out of reach to sense his emotions but knowing where he was made me feel better.

Hwan was exceptionally quiet and I looked at her wondering if the issue was the lack of shift or the loss of Joon. Our brother's disappearance was an emptiness we all felt, but something we had to endure.

A typical exile would not have been good. That meant taking the wolf to the edge of the lands, marking him as an outsider so that stepping within the boundary would send a signal of their presence to the security team. They would then be beaten within an inch of their life and left to fend for themselves.

I was trying my best to just have him kicked out. No markings, no beatings, none of that...Instead he pulls this stunt and hides.

Once captured, he will now face a typical exile and there is nothing I can do. I sigh. I have to maintain order. I look at my father and see his dark circles. He is faced with the same task as me. Joon has pushed his hand and incited capital punishment, if he ever comes back, for not obeying laws. Leading is not easy, especially when it includes family that was essentially poisoning you.

My senses pulse and I feel Jimin approaching. I look at the door and wait. Was he not coming from that direction?

Minjun: 'Yes, he will be coming from the right door.'

I stare and the door opens. Jimin slips in, bowing sheepishly to everyone and apologizing for his tardiness. He goes to the back and gets his plate of food, slipping into the seat next to me. I stare at him.

'You okay?' He is not looking so good and I can feel something is muddling him up inside. Confusion and sadness...

Jimin: 'Yeah...'

He plays with the tablecloth, running his finger in a circle obviously thinking of whatever had him late for dinner. I suddenly realize that all the drinks within reach are reaction to him, becoming small whirlpools in their glasses. I reach over and grab his hand.

He looks up at me with a questioning look. I nod to the glasses and he sees the whirlpools dying down around him.

Jimin (mumbling): 'Sorry. I have no idea what I am doing.'

'It's okay.' I squeezed his hand then let go and went back to eating. I watched him eating and noted that he does eat very little as Doctor Evi had said. Interesting...

I wondered just how many other powers might pop up if he didn't know what he was doing and how was he to control them if he wasn't trained? Magic was not something to trifle with, so I would have to look into possible scenarios for training for him.

He can't be the only hybrid besides his brother, is he?

JIMIN'S BEDROOM – JIMIN POV