Claws And Fangs

Chapter 13

"Don't you dare go near those vampires."
Her voice was firm, unwavering-laced with the kind of authority that didn't leave room for negotiation.
"Just go straight to your classes and come back straight to the house."
My mother didn't even glance at me as she spoke, her eyes fixed on her breakfast, cutting into her toast like it had wronged her.

I nodded silently.

"Words, sweetheart."
She finally looked up, forcing a smile that didn't reach her eyes.

I could see it-clearer than ever.
She was still angry.
She was hurt.
And no matter how calm her voice sounded, I could feel the storm she was trying to bury under her composed facade.

She thought I didn't care.
She thought I chose them over her...
Over Jimin...
Over the pain she had buried for years.

But she was wrong.
I cared. I cared more than she would ever understand.

I let out a soft sigh. "Yes, mother. I will do what you're saying."

I spoke the words she wanted to hear, but inside, my heart waged a quiet war.

She was here for a month-some office work in Seoul, she had said. A month under her watchful eyes. A month of pretending.

But Taehyung and Jungkook... they were different.
Even after all they had suffered-after losing their sister to a wolf-they still loved me. Still protected me.

They'd never hurt me.

I whispered the truth to myself again and again, like a silent vow.

They are not monsters. They are mine.
---

Time skip: At the college;
I barely noticed the morning air brushing against my face. My steps were robotic, my thoughts swirling in a blur of worry and exhaustion. That nightmare still clung to me like a second skin.

And then-
I saw him.

Taehyung. Standing near the entrance of the main college building.
His face... blank. Void of anything.
As if he didn't know me.
As if the love in his eyes had never existed.

That one glance pulled every thread of my nightmare back to life, like it had never ended.

Without thinking, I ran toward him.
And the moment I reached him, I wrapped my arms tightly around his body, clinging to the warmth that once made me feel whole.
My tears fell freely now, soaking into his shirt as I buried my face in his chest.

But...

He didn't move.
No arms wrapped around me.
No breath hitched in his throat.
Just stillness.

I looked up-eyes searching his-but there was nothing. No flicker. No softness. Not even anger.

Just... empty.

"Tae..." I whispered, my voice shaking.

But before I could say more, someone gently tugged me back into familiar arms.

"Are you alright, love?" Jungkook's voice was the only grounding comfort I had left.

My arms immediately wrapped around him, and I closed my eyes, pressing myself closer to his embrace.
My safe place.
My Kookie.
A soft smile escaped my lips. "Now I'm more than alright."

Jungkook pulled back slightly, looking down at me with concern. "Did something happen, darling?"

"Nothing," I whispered, studying his face. "Why did you ask it, though?"

He kissed the top of my head, a firm and soothing press of his lips, and held me tighter. But before I could speak again, my eyes darted to Taehyung-still standing there.