The Wolf's Heart

20

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden glow over the palace courtyard. Jungkook stood nervously, the lunch he'd prepared carefully laid out on the table before him. The aroma of freshly cooked dishes filled the air, a comforting blend of flavors he'd learned to perfect over the years. His heart raced with anticipation—he was determined to show Taehyung that he cared. Maybe this small act of kindness would help bridge the gap between them. Maybe it would open the door that Jungkook had longed to walk through, the door to Taehyung's heart.

Jungkook glanced down at his hands, still shaking slightly with nerves. I hope he likes it. I hope this shows him I’m trying. I don’t want him to feel alone anymore.

The soft sound of footsteps reached his ears. Taehyung appeared in the distance, but he wasn’t alone. Jungkook’s heart sank as he saw Lord Shin, an omega who had visited the palace before, walking alongside Taehyung. They were deep in conversation, laughing softly, a private joke passing between them that made Taehyung's eyes sparkle in a way Jungkook had never seen before.

Jungkook’s stomach twisted. Why is he smiling like that with him?

As they drew closer, Taehyung's voice broke through the air. "Lord Shin, your presence always lightens the mood. It's been too long since we've had a proper laugh together."

Lord Shin, who was dressed in a rich, dark blue hanfu that contrasted with Taehyung’s deep crimson, smiled warmly at Taehyung. "It’s good to see you so at ease, Your Highness. I was worried that the weight of the kingdom was too much for you."

Jungkook watched in silence, his heart sinking further as Taehyung's attention shifted completely to Lord Shin. It was as if Jungkook wasn’t even there.

When they reached the table where Jungkook had set up the meal, Lord Shin turned to him with a polite smile. "Ah, what a beautiful spread. I wasn’t expecting to be treated to such a feast."

Jungkook’s throat tightened, and he forced a smile, his voice coming out softer than he intended. "I… I thought you might be hungry after the long meetings. It’s just something simple."

Taehyung didn’t immediately respond to him. Instead, he turned to Lord Shin and said, “You must try this, it’s Jungkook’s cooking. He’s always so meticulous in everything he does.”

Jungkook’s chest tightened, hearing the praise, but not in the way he had hoped. It felt hollow, distant. Taehyung wasn’t looking at him—he was looking at Lord Shin, his attention fully on the other omega. Jungkook felt as if he were invisible, a ghost standing in his own palace.

“Thank you,” Lord Shin said, smiling at Jungkook before sitting down at the table. “I’m sure it’s delicious.”

Jungkook stood there, frozen, unable to find his voice. He wanted to speak up, to tell Taehyung how much this meant to him, but the words stuck in his throat. Instead, he quietly stepped back, retreating to the far end of the courtyard, away from them.

As Taehyung and Lord Shin sat down to eat, chatting easily, Jungkook couldn’t help but feel a wave of loneliness wash over him. He had hoped this moment would be different, that Taehyung would look at him with even a fraction of the warmth he showed to Lord Shin, but it didn’t happen. The cold distance between them remained, unspoken but painfully clear.

Jungkook sat down by a nearby fountain, his hands clenched tightly in his lap. His mind raced, heart aching. Why can’t I just be the one to make him smile like that? Why does it always have to be someone else?

The thoughts spiraled, and a feeling of hopelessness settled in his chest. I’ll never be enough for him. He’ll never see me the way I want him to.

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That evening, after Lord Shin had left, Taehyung didn’t seek out Jungkook. The quiet house felt like a void, with no words exchanged between them. Jungkook remained in his chambers, staring at the moonlit sky, his thoughts swirling. He had given everything to this marriage, tried every little gesture to show Taehyung that he cared, but it was never enough.

Jungkook finally closed his eyes, feeling the weight of the silence between them. The warmth he had once hoped to find in Taehyung’s gaze now seemed like a distant dream, fading with every passing day.

He had reached his breaking point. It was time to stop trying.