Nyctophobia | KOOKV

V

   "How could this happen?" I mutter out, rubbing my face and cursing my wolf.

   "Oh no, oh no. We're gonna be in so much trouble," Taehyung freaks out as well behind me.

   I turn his way and try to think of what to say but I'm at a loss for words. Kim Taehyung is my mate. Kim Taehyung!

   "What are we gonna do? If Hyungul finds out, he will kill you!" Taehyung gasps and I feel his hands on my biceps. His voice sounds in distress but it is hard to focus on our situation when your mate holds you.

   "Jeongguk? You won't reject me, right?" Taehyung asks, a hint of insecurity teasing his tone.

   "Of course, not!" I said without a second thought. I slap myself mentally and take a deep breath. "But I do want to live. Kinda."

   It's silent for a bit, his hands still on my arms and his body so close to mine. I need to keep my wolf under control, but that's hard when he's this close.

   "You know... I've always dreamed of finding my mate," he mumbles. I still didn't know what to say. Luckily, I didn't have to say anything.

   "Tae! Let me in!" Jimin's voice sounds from the other side of the door. I didn't even realize the party went on, music now blasting in my ears.

   "Come on, hide," Taehyung gasps and pushes me back into a bathroom stall. He closes the door and then rushes to the exit of the washrooms.

   "Oh my god, Tae. Are you okay? I know this must be hard but– wait, you not crying? Why are you still here?" Jimin asks.

   I hear Taehyung lock the door again. I sigh deeply. Please, don't tell him... please don't tell him...

   "I found my mate, Jimin," Taehyung says after a little while. As if he couldn't make up an excuse. I lean my head against the door, not sure what to do.

   However, Taehyung closed the door for me which means he couldn't have locked it. The door opens as if Taehyung said those words to give me a big entrance. That's so awkward... not gonna lie.

   A gasp was heard. "Your mate is Jeon Jeongguk??"

   Taehyung and I keep silent for a bit before Taehyung confirms it. I feel his hand wrap around my arm.

   "Yes," he says in a small shy voice. I smile at the sound and the fact he keeps coming closer to me to touch me. I know it's mainly his wolf's choice, but Taehyung can easily take control and don't do it. He chooses to keep no space between us.

   "That's amazing! You found your mate! I'm so happy for you," Jimin gasps and then hugs my mate.

   It's silent between the two now, but that doesn't mean they're not having a conversation. I focus my hearing on them. I hear their heartbeats dancing around excitedly and their breath hitch from time to time.

   "It's rude to mindlink with someone else in the room, you know?" I point out.

   "How did you know??" Jimin exclaims.

   "We were just... talking... about..." Taehyung is trying to find an excuse but in the end, he just sighs. "Okay, about you. But not in a bad way!"

   I chuckle at his cuteness, causing him to get more shy and hide his face in my chest. I stop laughing at the shock.

   How could I have ever not wanted this?

   "So what's the plan? Since you're Hyungul's boyfriend and he has a big advantage over you Jeongguk, no offense..." Jimin asks.

   "None taken," I mutter.

   "What can we do? We all know how prideful Hyungul is. If he finds out I found someone else as my mate, he'll definitely want to challenge him and..." I could feel Taehyung's stare at me.

   I take a deep sigh.

   "I wish I knew this would happen," I mumble, and just then another knock on the door.

   "Go away, come back later!" Jimin yells.

   "I think the fuck not. What do you want with my friend?" Seokjin's voice sounds rather offended.

   "That's Seokjin," I sigh and then hear the lock click open again.

   "Okay... what's going on here?" Seokjin's unsure voice sounds as he walks in.

   "Guess what? I found my mate," I say and hear him gasp.

   "Oh my god! I told you you'd want to know who Taehyung's mate would be! This is juicy. And that in your last year in this pack," Seokjin chuckles. I can't believe him...

   "Your last year? Were you planning on leaving?" Taehyung asks.

   "For two years now. I stopped him from doing so," Seokjin announces proudly. "After this year of school, he was gonna dip. To the human world."

   This time the other two gasp. They've with no doubt heard horror stories about humans. I, on the other hand, know they're not true.

   "Hey, what if you two go to the human world together?" Seokjin then suggests.

   "No... Taehyung can't just leave! I'm here too!" Jimin exclaims.

   "Why don't we talk about this after the party? Somewhere quiet. I first need to process the fact I actually found my mate," I interfere. My hand moves on its own, cupping Taehyung's cheek carefully.

   "Yeah... it'll be fine. For now, we just have to be careful," Taehyung says, the last part with a sigh. I turn towards him and put my other hand up as well. I can't see him, but this way it feels as if I can.

   "I promise, I'll find a way for us to be together..."