Claimed by the Crown | Taejin

15. Chapter Fifteen

"I challenge you to utter even the slightest sound and risk alerting your Alpha," Jungkook menacingly declared, a wicked grin dancing on his lips as he revealed a small, ominous device. "With the click of this button, your brother will be dead. I want you to understand that it will be your actions that will lead to his end, not mine."

Jin's voice quivered with emotion as he murmured, "Why?" His eyes filled with tears, mirroring the deep terror and confusion raging within.

Jungkook's voice was loud with anger. "Why are you asking me why?" he yelled. "Why are you asking me why? I should be asking you why. Why are you still alive? Why are you not dead? How did you successfully mate with Taehyung?"

"W-what?" Jin's expression shifted as he furrowed his brows in perplexity. He struggled to comprehend Jungkook's question and couldn't understand why Jungkook would harbor ill intentions toward him.

"You're not related to Jimin. You're not a real Park. So how come you're not dead? You also marked him back. What are you? Did I throw out the wrong trash? Did Jimin trick me?" Jungkook's confusion was evident as he stared at Jin.

"What are you talking about? Why would I be dead? What does Jimin have to do with any of this?"

Jungkook surged forward in a rage, desperately attempting to grab hold of Jin, only to collide with an unseen force that intercepted his advance. Meanwhile, Jin struggled to conceal his uneasiness, clenching his arms around his body, pushing through the discomfort in his wrist, and wrestling to keep his thoughts in check, all in a determined effort to avoid alerting his Alpha.

Jungkook was frustrated by an unseen barrier preventing him from reaching Jin. His gaze fell on Jin's bracelet, and then he looked up to meet Jin's fearful eyes. With a hiss, he demanded, "Take off that bracelet right now!"

Jin's head shook in fear and pleaded, "No, please. I'm not sure what I did, but I'm sorry. I never meant to deceive anyone, and I don't understand why you want me dead or what I've done. I'm genuinely sorry." Tears streamed down Jin's face, his composure crumbling in the face of Jungkook's palpable rage and evident desire to inflict harm, bringing back memories of the previous torment he had endured at Jungkook's hands.

"I won't tell you again!" Jungkook yelled as he held up the device he had threatened to use previously.

His heart pounding with fear and tears streaming down his face, Jin desperately struggled to pry the bracelet from his wrist. However, a voice calling out his name abruptly halted his panicked efforts.

Hoseok called out for Prince Seokjin as he stepped onto the grand balcony where Jin was. His face twisted into a look of concern as he spotted Jin's troubled expression. "What's the matter? Are you all right?" Hoseok asked, his voice filled with worry.

Jungkook broke into a smile and let out a chuckle when Hoseok came into view. The sound of Jungkook's chuckle caused Hoseok to freeze, his body tensing with fear as his heart raced.

As Jungkook approached Hoseok, a sly smile played on his lips. "Well, well, what a pleasant surprise this is. How are you, Hoseok?" he inquired, his hand reaching out to grasp Hoseok by the back of the neck and swiftly spinning him around to face him. Hoseok's eyes widened in shock, and Jin gasped as he watched the interaction unfold. A chilling smile curved Jungkook's lips as he savored the sight and scent of fear emanating from Hoseok.

"J-Jungkook," Hoseok's voice was abruptly silenced as Jungkook's grip around his neck tightened. With a sudden burst of strength, Jungkook delivered a forceful punch to Hoseok's stomach, eliciting a cry of pain from him.

Jin let out a startled scream and swiftly covered his mouth to stifle the sound, his eyes fixed on Jungkook's actions toward Hoseok. At the same time, a searing heat emanated from the mark on his neck, sending panic coursing through him.