Hidden Mate

9. Barrier

"Ahhhh..."

Blurred vision, dizziness, and nausea... Taehyung tried to force his eyes open to see anything, but it was all in vain. Feeling the hardness and coldness on his back, Taehyung realized that he had collapsed on the cold floor. He tried to get up, but he could only wiggle his fingers and couldn't even raise his head. Taehyung once again tried with all his might to get up, but his body didn't move as if it wasn't his own. "Haaah-" Taehyung closed his eyes tightly and exhaled heavily. His chest rose and fell busily as he trying to catch his rough breath. 

How long did he stay like that?

Taehyung took a deep breath and still closed his eyes. He was afraid to open his eyes again. He closed his eyes still and tried to think. The last thing he remembered before losing consciousness was that he was waiting for Jimin at the place where he was supposed to meet him. 

'What happened...' He tried to suppress his confusion and carefully opened his eyes. The first thing he could feel was darkness. Taehyung blinked, hoping he could see even a small thing. 

As he got used to the darkness, Taehyung could gradually feel that he could see something. Then he realized that he was in a place like an small alcove. That realization made Taehyung frown. He once again moved his arms with all his might, and this time he was able to raise his upper body, leaning on his elbows.

Excessive movements made him dizzy, and when his arms lost strength, he lost his balance and fell back to the ground. "Ahhh..." He groaned at the pain he felt in the back of his head and back. "Shit... Shit..." Inevitably, curses came out of Taehyung's mouth, and tears flowed from his tightly closed eyes. Taehyung sobbed for a while, not even daring to get up again.

How much time has passed again?

Taehyung waited quietly without moving until the throbbing feeling in his temples subsided, and eventually opened his eyes, feeling his mind calming down a little. Still lying down, he thought back to what had happened to him.

/Yesterday night.../ 

"Jimin? What brings you here at this hour?"

Taehyung, who returned home after spending a sweet evening with Jungkook, was surprised by Jimin's unexpected visit, but welcomed him warmly. "It's almost bedtime... what's going on?" 

"Well, I know it's rude to suddenly show up at this late hour, but I have a favor to ask." Jimin spoke with a cute smile. 

Jimin was his only friend here, and although he didn't have many, Taehyung had quite fond memories of Jimin. Taehyung smiled and nodded. "I'd be happy if there's anything I can do to help. So tell me." Taehyung's heart warmed as he felt as if he had returned to his childhood. To those happy times when his mom and dad were still with him...

Jimin could see the longing in Taehyung's eyes. He gritted his teeth for a moment. But his mind did not change.

"Jimin, I hope our pack becomes stronger than any other. Your father was a great leader and I have always believed that you will follow in his footsteps."

"That's why I came to you! Jungkook is the True Blood Alpha! Jungkook is the True Blood Alpha! And we all already know that he is stronger than any of us! Although no one dares to say it, everyone knows that he is the right person to be the next leader!"