Moonlight Heirs 🌗🐺 | TAEKOOK |

12.) Struggle

It was late afternoon, and the warm golden light filtered through the thin curtains of Taehyung's room, casting soft shadows on the wooden floor. Taehyung sat by the window, staring out into the distant hills, lost in thought. His usually sharp, intense expression seemed distant, his mind occupied by something far away. Chaewon had noticed. She had been watching her brother for days, sensing the shift in his mood since Jungkook's arrival. He was quieter, more restless, and seemed distracted.

Unable to bear it any longer, Chaewon decided to confront him. She marched up to Taehyung's door, barely knocking before letting herself in.

"Oppa, are you just going to sit here all day, brooding like a lost wolf?" she teased, but her tone held a gentle concern.

Taehyung didn't turn, only a small smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "Maybe."

Chaewon rolled her eyes and without another word, grabbed his hand, tugging him from the chair. "You need fresh air. Come with me."

"I'm fine, Chaewon," he protested, but she was relentless.

"Come on, you're coming whether you like it or not!" she laughed, dragging him towards the door. "You're not hiding from me today."

Just as she yanked him out of the room, Jungkook happened to be walking down the corridor with Taehyun, one who loved to talk—a little too much. Jungkook glanced over and froze for a second, his eyes locking onto Taehyung's wrist, still in Chaewon's grip.

Something stirred inside him, an unfamiliar prick of emotion that made his stomach twist. Jealousy? No, that couldn't be right. Why would he feel jealous? He had no reason to feel like this. Taehyung was just the clan's mysterious leader, and Chaewon... well, she was his mate or someone, wasn't she?

"...and so I said, 'You think that's the best fishing spot? You've clearly never seen the east river!'" Taehyun was mid-story, talking animatedly with his hands. Jungkook tried to focus, nodding along, but his thoughts were elsewhere.

He stole another glance at Taehyung and Chaewon, but quickly forced himself to look away, trying to push the strange feeling aside.

"Jungkook? You listening?" Taehyun asked, leaning closer with a grin.

"Uh, yeah, sorry," Jungkook replied quickly, forcing a smile. "East river, huh? Sounds like a great spot."

Taehyun laughed, completely unaware of Jungkook's distraction, and continued his endless talking as they walked down the hallway.

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Meanwhile, Chaewon had successfully dragged Taehyung down to the village, where the bustling streets were alive with the chatter of merchants and customers. The smell of grilled meat, spices, and fresh bread filled the air as they strolled through the marketplace. Chaewon, ever the energetic one, pointed excitedly at the different stalls, her face lighting up like a child's.

"Look, oppa! They have those scarves I love!" she exclaimed, pulling him towards a colorful stand filled with fabrics. She held up a deep purple one and draped it over her shoulders. "Doesn't this suit me?"

Taehyung let out a small chuckle, though it was half-hearted. "It does."

Chaewon pouted, narrowing her eyes at him. "You're not even paying attention."

"I am," he replied, but his tone was distant, his thoughts clearly elsewhere.

Chaewon sighed dramatically, pulling him along again. "You're impossible. Come on, let's keep walking."

They wandered through the streets, Chaewon chatting endlessly about the things she saw, the trinkets she wanted to buy, and the gossip she'd heard. Taehyung let her talk, content to let her voice fill the space as he grappled with his own inner turmoil.