Love in the Chaos

Chapter - 1

Rune
The kind of man every man and woman desired. He is handsome and strongest alpha of the city. They all wanted to be his mate, and whenever he walked by, people surrounded him, captivated by his charm and attractiveness. But did he care? No. He didn’t give a damn. All he wanted was someone who would truly love him and take care of him. In a world where people cheated and had multiple partners, Rune still believed in true love and wanted to be with one person forever.

Despite his good looks and confidence, Rune was deeply caring and loving toward his family. As the youngest, he was the apple of everyone's eye, especially his sisters, who doted on him and gave him whatever he wanted.

Rune lived in a world where werewolves and vampires coexisted under a fragile peace treaty. The blood-soaked battles of the past were nothing but distant memories, replaced by an uneasy truce that dictated they inhabit separate territories. Yet, the tension lingered, a constant reminder that peace could shatter at any moment.

Having just graduated from college, Rune yearned to explore the world beyond the boundaries of his city, to live freely without the weight of family expectations or the looming shadow of his grandfather’s strict rules. But freedom was a distant dream, chained by the responsibilities of a family business he had no desire to inherit.

Currently, Rune sat on a mountaintop overlooking the sprawling city below, the warm hues of sunset painting the horizon. Beside him sat Shyla, his best friend—the one person who truly understood him. Unbeknownst to Rune, Shyla harbored a secret: she was hopelessly in love with him, praying every night to the Moon Goddess to make them destined mates.

“What do you think is out there?” Rune mused aloud, his voice carrying a wistful tone as he gazed at the far-off mountains. “What kind of people live beyond the city? I want to meet them, learn about them. I want to see the world.”

“I know, Rune,” Shyla replied softly, her eyes fixed on him. “But your grandfather… he’s so strict. He wants you to take over the business.”

Rune sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. “But I don’t want that. I want to be free, like a bird with no cage. The business would suffocate me.”

Shyla’s heart ached as she listened to him. “Rune,” she began, hesitating for a moment, “what do you think about mates?”

“Mates?” Rune turned to her, his brows furrowing. “Why are you asking about that all of a sudden?”

“We’re adults now,” Shyla said, trying to keep her voice steady. “And your birthday is coming up. You’ll find your mate soon.”

Rune’s lips curled into a dreamy smile. “Yeah. I’ve thought about it. I want someone who’ll always be by my side, who’ll love me unconditionally. Someone I can take care of, who understands me. Honestly… I hope my mate is like you. You’re amazing, Shyla. You take care of me, put me first. I’m lucky to have you as my best friend.”

Shyla’s eyes filled with tears. This was her moment. She wanted to tell him everything—to confess her feelings. But before she could speak, Rune’s phone buzzed loudly, shattering the intimacy of the moment.

He glanced at the caller ID. “It’s my grandfather,” he muttered, answering the call. After a brief conversation, Rune turned to Shyla with an apologetic smile. “I have to go. My uncle just arrived from England, and he wants to talk to me. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”

Before leaving, he reached out and gently ruffled her hair. “Take care, Shyla.”

As Rune walked away, Shyla sat frozen, tears slipping silently down her cheeks.

Back home, Rune greeted his family and found his sister. “Why is Uncle here?” he whispered.

“I’m not sure,” she replied, glancing toward the study. “He’s talking to Grandpa, and it looks serious.”

Before Rune could ask more, his grandfather’s voice boomed from the next room. “Rune! Come here, son.”

Curious and slightly apprehensive, Rune entered the study and sat across from his grandfather, who wore his usual stern expression.

“Your uncle wants you to help with his business in England,” his grandfather began. “He’s opening a branch here in Korea and needs someone to handle his operations back there. It’s a big responsibility.”

Rune’s heart raced. England. The place he had always dreamed of visiting. This was his chance.

“If you don’t want to go, it’s okay,” his grandfather continued. “You can stay here and focus on our business.”

“No!” Rune blurted out, earning a surprised look from both men. “I mean… yes, I want to go. I can help Uncle and learn a lot. It’s a great opportunity.”

His grandfather studied him for a moment before nodding. “Alright. The choice is yours.”

___________________________________________

The day of Rune’s departure arrived quickly. As he said his goodbyes, his family hugged him tightly, their eyes filled with worry and sadness. Rune swallowed his nerves, determined to make the most of this new chapter.
At the airport, Rune’s excitement was quickly overshadowed by a growing sense of anxiety. The bustling terminal, the endless announcements, and the throng of travelers were overwhelming. After navigating the chaos, he finally made it to the check-in desk. Once his luggage was sorted, Rune found a quiet corner near his gate and settled down to wait for his flight.

The wait felt like an eternity. As the minutes ticked by, Rune’s stomach grumbled, and the craving for coffee overtook him. Deciding to kill some time, he stood and made his way toward a nearby coffee shop.

With a steaming cup of coffee in hand, Rune turned back toward his gate, but before he could take another step, he collided with someone. The impact sent his coffee splattering all over his shirt.

“What the hell? Are you fucking blind? Don’t you know where you’re going?” a sharp voice snapped.

Rune looked up to see a man towering over him, his face twisted in irritation. “I-I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t see you,” Rune stammered, bowing slightly as he avoided the man’s piercing gaze.

“How could you see anything when the ground seems so damn fascinating to you?” the man retorted smugly, his tone dripping with condescension.

Rune straightened, his face flushed with embarrassment. “I’m really sorry, sir. I’ll compensate you for the coffee,” he said, his voice firm despite his unease.

Before the man could respond, his phone buzzed. He pulled it out, glanced at the screen, and scoffed. “Tch, whatever,” he muttered, walking off mid-conversation while answering the call.

Rune stood frozen, staring after the man, his fists clenched tightly. “What the fuck?” he muttered under his breath. “How rude can someone be? It wasn’t even entirely my fault, and he acted like I’m the only one to blame.”

His frustration simmered as he glared at his coffee-stained shirt. “Stupid, stupid, stupid!” he growled, shaking his head. “If I ever see him again, I swear I’ll show him a real punch.” Rune raised his fist and stared at it menacingly, his imagination already plotting a satisfying comeback.

But then he sighed, forcing himself to relax. “Why am I letting this ruin my mood?” he muttered to himself. “I’m finally free. I’m going to another country, away from all the rules and restrictions. No one can ruin this for me.”

Rune straightened his shoulders, took a deep breath, and walked back toward his gate. The excitement of his new adventure began to creep back into his heart. Nothing—and no one—was going to spoil it.

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Far away, on the same mountaintop where they had last sat together, Shyla stood alone, her eyes fixed on the endless sky. The stars were beginning to twinkle, but their beauty only deepened the ache in her heart.

“I’ll miss you, Rune,” she whispered softly, her voice trembling. Tears welled up in her eyes, spilling onto her cheeks as she clasped her hands together. “Please, come back soon. And this time… I don’t want you to return as my best friend.” She looked up at the moon, her heart heavy with longing. “I want you to come back as my mate.”

Her words hung in the cold mountain air, a silent prayer to the Moon Goddess, as the wind carried her longing to the horizon where Rune’s journey had just begun.