The Innocent and The King

Chapter Fifteen - When Shadows Strike

The morning sun bathed the cabin in a golden glow, but the warmth of its rays felt distant and hollow. Reva awoke to the rustling sounds of Jungkook dressing beside her. She stirred, blinking sleepily as she caught sight of him pulling on his black leather jacket, a grim look etched across his handsome face.

“You’re leaving today,” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the pounding in her chest.

Jungkook turned at the sound of her voice, his expression softening for a moment before he crouched beside her. “I have to, love,” he said, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “The Kangs are closing in. We can’t wait for them to make the first move.”

Reva sat up, clutching the blanket around her shoulders. “I hate this,” she admitted, tears prickling at the corners of her eyes. “I hate that you’re always the one putting yourself in danger.”

His hand cupped her cheek, his thumb gently brushing away a tear that slipped free. “It’s my responsibility, Reva. This is my world, and I won’t let you get hurt because of it.”

“But you’re always protecting me,” she said, her voice trembling. “Who’s going to protect you, Jungkook?”

His lips curved into a small, almost bittersweet smile. “I don’t need protecting. I’ve got six of the best men by my side, and most importantly, I have you waiting for me. That’s all the protection I need.”

Reva’s heart clenched, and she leaned forward, pressing her forehead against his. “Promise me you’ll come back.”

“I promise,” he whispered, sealing his vow with a lingering kiss.

---

The cabin felt emptier than ever after Jungkook and his men left. Reva tried to distract herself, throwing herself into simple tasks like cleaning and cooking, but the anxiety bubbling in her chest refused to dissipate.

She found herself pacing the living room, her thoughts spinning as she replayed their conversation. Jungkook had made her promise to stay in the cabin, to trust that the men left behind to guard her would keep her safe. But the lingering feeling of unease gnawed at her.

As she stared out the window, the forest seemed quieter than usual. No birdsong, no rustling leaves—just an eerie silence that made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up.

Reva’s instincts screamed at her to move, to do something, but she wasn’t sure what. That was until the distant sound of engines reached her ears.

She froze, her breath hitching as she turned toward the sound. It was faint at first, but it grew louder, closer.

“Something’s wrong,” she whispered to herself, her pulse quickening.

The guards Jungkook had left with her—two men named Sungho and Jae—emerged from the kitchen, their faces tense.

“Reva, go to your room,” Sungho ordered, his tone firm but not unkind.

“What’s happening?” she asked, her voice trembling.

“We’re not sure yet, but we’re about to find out. Go now,” Jae said, his hand already reaching for the gun at his waist.

Reva hesitated for a moment before nodding and retreating toward her room. She closed the door behind her, her heart racing as she listened to the muffled voices outside.

---

Minutes felt like hours as Reva sat on the edge of the bed, clutching her phone in one hand and a kitchen knife in the other. She knew Jungkook would have scolded her for not calling him immediately, but she also knew he was in the middle of something dangerous.

The sound of shouting from the main room snapped her out of her thoughts. Her grip on the knife tightened as footsteps approached her door.

“Reva,” Sungho’s voice called out, “it’s safe. You can come out.”

Relief flooded her, and she stood, placing the knife on the bedside table before opening the door. But the moment she stepped into the hallway, she knew something was wrong.

The man standing before her wasn’t Sungho. He was tall and imposing, his face partially obscured by a mask. His eyes gleamed with malice as he reached for her.

Reva stumbled back, panic surging through her veins. “Stay away from me!” she shouted, but the man ignored her, his movements swift and calculated.

Her instincts kicked in, and she grabbed the knife from the table, holding it out defensively. “Don’t come any closer!”

The man hesitated for a split second, but it was long enough for Reva to dart past him, her heart pounding as she ran toward the main room.

What she saw there made her stomach drop. Sungho and Jae were unconscious—or worse—on the floor, and several more intruders were ransacking the cabin.

She barely had time to process the scene before a hand grabbed her wrist, yanking her back. She screamed, struggling against the iron grip, but her captor was too strong.

“Let go of me!” she cried, her voice breaking.

The man’s grip tightened, and he leaned in close, his voice a menacing whisper. “You’re coming with us. Jungkook will learn what happens when he crosses the Kangs.”

Reva’s blood ran cold, but her fear quickly turned to determination. She thought of Jungkook, of the promise he’d made to keep her safe. She couldn’t let herself be taken—not like this.

With all the strength she could muster, she stomped on the man’s foot, causing him to loosen his grip just enough for her to break free. She ran toward the door, her lungs burning as she screamed for help.

Just as she reached the threshold, another man blocked her path, his smirk sending a chill down her spine.

“Going somewhere?” he taunted.

Reva clenched her fists, her mind racing for a way out. She refused to give up, even as the odds stacked against her.

Before the man could grab her, a deafening gunshot rang out. Reva flinched, her eyes snapping shut. When she opened them, the man before her crumpled to the floor, blood pooling beneath him.

She turned toward the source of the shot, her heart leaping as she saw Jungkook standing in the doorway, his gun still raised. His expression was a mix of fury and relief as his dark eyes locked onto hers.

“Reva!” he shouted, rushing toward her.

She barely had time to process what was happening before she was in his arms, his hold on her almost crushing.

“Are you okay? Did they hurt you?” he asked, his voice rough with emotion.

“I’m okay,” she managed, her voice trembling. “You got here just in time.”

Jungkook pulled back just enough to cup her face in his hands, his gaze searching hers. “I told you I’d protect you,” he said, his voice low and fierce. “No one touches what’s mine.”

Reva’s eyes filled with tears, but she nodded, her hands clutching his jacket. “I knew you’d come for me.”

He pressed his forehead to hers, his breathing ragged. “Always, Reva. Always.”

Behind him, the rest of his men were clearing the cabin, their efficiency a testament to their skill. But in that moment, all Reva could see was Jungkook—the man who had become her world, her protector, and her salvation.

The storm had come, but they had survived it together. And as Jungkook held her close, Reva knew that as long as they had each other, they could face whatever came next.