Tales of a Wounded Heart | Jikook/ Taegi

Chapter 11

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Alpha Hoseok paced restlessly within the confines of his cell, the rhythmic sound of his claws scraping against the hard stone floor echoed in the dimly lit chamber. Once a proud and powerful leader, he was now reduced to a mere shadow of his former self, consumed by grief and madness.

It had been weeks since the tragic death of his mate, a loss that had shattered him to the core. In the aftermath, his once noble spirit had been overtaken by a primal rage, transforming him into a creature of pure instinct.

To contain his unpredictable and dangerous behavior, the pack had constructed a special locked room with iron bars, deep within the heart of their territory. Here, Alpha Hoseok was confined, isolated from the rest of the pack and the outside world.

Outside his cell, guards stood watch, their faces grim and determined. Trained specifically to handle a feral alpha, they knew the risks involved in their duty. Their job was twofold: to keep the wolf alive for as long as possible and to ensure that he did not harm himself in his frenzied state.

The guards had their work cut out for them. Alpha Hoseok's ferocity was unmatched, his howls of anguish reverberating through the stone walls of his prison. But they were undeterred, their resolve unshakeable as they stood vigil over the troubled alpha.

Each day brought new challenges as they struggled to contain the beast within. Sometimes, Hoseok would hurl himself against the iron bars with such force that they feared he would break through. Other times, he would retreat into a corner, his eyes filled with a haunted emptiness that spoke of the pain within.

But through it all, the guards remained steadfast, their bond forged by a shared sense of duty and a deep-seated loyalty to their pack. They knew that they were the only thing standing between Alpha and oblivion, and they would not falter in their task.

"How is he, today?" A sound echoed through the chamber followed by a soft footfall as she strode in, her question hung heavily in the air, laden with concern and emotion.

The guards, standing at attention, visibly tensed upon her arrival. One of them, shifting uncomfortably under her penetrating gaze, responded cautiously, "Alpha Hoseok is sedated for now, Zeta Iseul. He became uncontrollable."

Iseul clenched her jaw, suppressing the surge of anger that threatened to overwhelm her. She stood outside the heavily guarded entrance of her brother's prison room. News of his deteriorating condition had reached her during her rigorous training in the West, and she had rushed back to their pack lands as soon as she could.

Months had passed since she last saw him, and the weight of her absence during his mate's death had left a void in the pack's leadership, plunging them into chaos. It took her relentless efforts to restore order and stability, ensuring her brother's legacy remained untarnished.

Thanks to Seokjin's most trusted group of warriors, who stood by her side and aided her in tough times. She heard everything Seokjin did for their pack in times of need and how he stood guarding their borders against another attack until he heard she was returning. She made a note to thank him later.

"Open the door," she commanded, her voice betraying a hint of urgency.

The guards hesitated, taken aback by her sudden resolve. Despite her daily inquiries about her brother's well-being, she had never mustered the courage to visit him again since that fateful night she arrived.

However, today was different. Today, she made the decision to step inside as he was sleeping during her visit. Otherwise, the anguish in his cries and whimpers would have continued to rend her heart.

"Zeta Iseul, I don't think it's a great idea..." one of the guards protested weakly.

But, without another word, she pushed past the guards and entered the room. This was her brother. Hoseok was no threat to her. The only person's life she was worried about was her brother's.