The Wolf's Heart

10

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The wedding ceremony was grand, befitting the union of two noble houses, with the entire festival area transformed into a breathtaking scene of elegance and splendor. Lanterns floated in the evening sky, their soft glow illuminating the pavilion where the marriage was to take place. Royalty and nobility from every kingdom had gathered, their eyes filled with awe, curiosity, and perhaps a touch of envy. Every ruler who had dreamed of this alliance for their own daughter now watched as the legendary Kim Taehyung, Prince of Utopia, was set to wed Jungkook Jeon, the younger son of the Jeon family.

The groom and bride both wore robes of deep red, a color symbolizing prosperity and good fortune. Taehyung’s hanfu was adorned with intricate golden embroidery, depicting dragons and phoenixes, symbols of strength and union. His crown, set with crimson rubies and flawless diamonds, reflected the flickering torchlight, making him appear every bit the powerful prince he was expected to be. His expression, however, remained cold and unreadable, his gaze fixed forward, as though he were simply fulfilling an obligation rather than standing beside his destined mate.

Beside him, Jungkook stood with his face partially obscured by a delicate scarf that flowed from his headdress, a sheer fabric woven with golden threads that shimmered under the lights. Even with his face veiled, his beauty was unmistakable; the gentle curve of his jaw, the soft gleam in his downcast eyes, and the way he carried himself hinted at the ethereal elegance that had captivated so many. His own crown—a circlet inlaid with purple rubies and diamonds—sat gracefully atop his brown hair, which was tied loosely, a few strands falling delicately to frame his face.

As the ceremony began, Jungkook felt his heart pounding in his chest, the weight of his emotions hidden beneath his calm exterior. This was supposed to be the happiest day of his life—the day he joined his mate, the one the fates had chosen for him. But the emptiness in Taehyung’s eyes lingered, a silent reminder that this marriage was a formality, a duty he was fulfilling with reluctance.

He wanted to look up, to meet Taehyung’s eyes, to see even a hint of acceptance, but the prince’s gaze remained cold and unyielding. Taehyung’s refusal to acknowledge their bond, to accept their fate, was a wound that Jungkook carried silently, a hurt he couldn’t voice, especially not now.

The ceremony proceeded, with elders chanting blessings for harmony, prosperity, and an unbreakable bond between the two. Taehyung kept his focus forward, each word of blessing only deepening the tension in his posture. To everyone else, he looked the perfect picture of a proud prince, calm and composed, but inside, his emotions were warring—a blend of resentment, indifference, and the faintest, most reluctant curiosity about the figure beside him.

When the time came to exchange the ceremonial wine, Taehyung accepted his cup without a word, his expression still unreadable. Jungkook, taking his own cup, stole a glance at Taehyung, his heart heavy yet hopeful. He lifted his cup slightly, as tradition dictated, offering a gesture of respect and harmony. Taehyung responded with a barely perceptible nod, their cups meeting in the ceremonial toast that symbolized their union.

As they each drank, Jungkook silently prayed that this small gesture, this fleeting moment of closeness, would be enough to plant a seed of connection, a spark that might one day grow into something real.

The marriage was sealed, witnessed by the nobility, the moon, and the stars above. But as they turned to face the gathered guests, Jungkook couldn’t help but feel as though he were still standing alone, hoping that one day, he would look into Taehyung’s eyes and see something other than duty—something that resembled love.

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Flash back

On that fateful night, after Taehyung’s cold rejection, Jungkook had stood by the lotus pond, his heart breaking with each passing second. The pain of being turned away by his destined mate was sharper than anything he’d ever felt. His tears fell freely, each one a silent confession of his shattered hopes and dreams. It hurt—knowing that the one meant for him could look him in the eyes and feel nothing. He had always believed that when he met his mate, there would be an unbreakable bond, a love that needed no words. But fate, it seemed, had other plans.

After a few moments, Jungkook forced himself to calm down, wiping his tears away with trembling hands. He took a deep breath, steadying himself, trying to gather the courage to return to his family and pretend nothing was wrong. Maybe, he thought bitterly, he would find a way to accept this fate, even if Taehyung never did.

As he turned to leave the quiet sanctuary of the pond, Jungkook’s steps faltered when he saw a figure standing not far off in the shadows. His heart sank further when he recognized his older brother, Dk, watching him with a smirk of triumph. His brother’s expression held no warmth, only a glint of satisfaction as he crossed his arms, his gaze piercing.

“I saw you talking to your husband,” dk said coolly, his voice laced with a mocking tone that made Jungkook’s stomach twist. He had clearly witnessed the exchange between him and Taehyung, and now, he seemed all too pleased to rub salt in Jungkook’s wounds.

Jungkook’s eyes widened as the realization hit him like a thunderbolt. Husband? He had never imagined that his brother’s insistence on him attending the spring festival was because he was meant to marry Taehyung, the crown prince. This wasn’t just an arranged marriage; it was a coldly calculated move to forge an alliance, one that his brother knew Jungkook would have no say in.

“dk...you knew, didn’t you?” Jungkook’s voice was barely a whisper, the hurt evident in his eyes. “You knew I was supposed to marry him—and you didn’t tell me?”

Dk shrugged, his smirk deepening. “Of course, I knew. Why do you think I pushed so hard for you to come to the festival this year? This is a prestigious match, Jungkook. One I arranged for the good of our family. But it seems your ‘mate’ doesn’t think much of you.” He chuckled, the sound cruel and cold. “A pity. But don’t worry, little brother. You’ll fulfill your duty, whether he loves you or not.”

Jungkook’s heart shattered all over again as he looked into his brother’s eyes and saw the ruthlessness there. There was no sympathy, no understanding, only ambition. His brother’s pride in this achievement came at the cost of Jungkook’s happiness, and it didn’t matter to him in the slightest. Jungkook bit his lip, holding back fresh tears, and squared his shoulders.

“If this is what you want, dk, then I’ll go through with it,” he said softly, his voice filled with quiet resolve. “But don’t expect me to be grateful.”

With that, he walked past his brother, leaving behind the dreams he’d once held for his future, his heart burdened by the weight of a marriage built on duty and betrayal, rather than love. But deep within, Jungkook vowed to remain true to himself, even if the path ahead was lonely. He would honor the bond in his own way and prove that he was more than just a pawn in his brother’s game.

Flash back ends