In a war-torn ancient kingdom where powerful wolves and their human counterparts live in uneasy balance, Taehyung, the alpha, is the crown prince. With a harsh upbringing filled with betrayal and loss, he has built walls around his heart and refuse...
Daek Kyun’s plan unfolded like a shadow spreading through the palace halls. Servants whispered in hushed tones, their words laced with fear.
“Have you heard? They say the Royal Pin brings ruin to those who possess it.”
“Isn’t it strange? Ever since the consort received the pin, there’s been nothing but tension in the court.”
“It’s cursed, I tell you. The pin has always brought misfortune. It should’ve been destroyed long ago.”
The words reached Jungkook in fragments, like shards of glass piercing his already fragile heart. At first, he brushed them off, telling himself they were nothing more than baseless gossip. But as the whispers grew louder and more persistent, doubt began to creep in.
One evening, as Jungkook sat in his chambers holding the box that contained the Royal Pin, his mind swirled with uncertainty. The pin felt heavier than it had before, as if the weight of the rumors had seeped into its very essence.
Could it really be cursed? he wondered. Is that why things between Taehyung and me are falling apart?
A knock at the door startled him from his thoughts. It was Daek Kyun, his expression soft and sympathetic.
“May I come in, little brother?” he asked, his tone disarmingly gentle.
Jungkook hesitated but nodded. Daek Kyun entered, his presence both comforting and unsettling.
“I’ve been hearing things,” Daek Kyun began, sitting across from Jungkook. “About the pin.”
Jungkook’s fingers tightened around the box. “What about it?”
“They say it’s cursed,” Daek Kyun said, his voice low and conspiratorial. “I didn’t want to believe it at first, but... I’ve seen how much you’ve suffered since receiving it. You don’t deserve this, Jungkook. You’re too kind, too pure to carry such a burden.”
Jungkook’s heart sank. “Do you think it’s true? That the pin is the reason everything feels so... wrong?”
Daek Kyun placed a comforting hand on Jungkook’s shoulder. “I hate to see you like this. If it’s causing you so much pain, maybe it’s best to let it go. Give it to someone who can bear the burden.”
“Someone like you?” Jungkook asked, his voice trembling.
Daek Kyun smiled, though there was a glint of calculation in his eyes. “I only want to protect you, little brother. You can trust me.
Jungkook didn’t respond, his mind a whirlwind of emotions. As Daek Kyun left the room, a seed of doubt had been planted.
But Daek Kyun’s movements hadn’t gone unnoticed. Taehyung, who had been quietly observing the interactions between Jungkook and his brother-in-law, grew more suspicious by the day. The alpha’s instincts told him that Daek Kyun’s intentions were far from noble.
Later that night, Taehyung summoned his most loyal guard. “Keep a close eye on Daek Kyun,” he ordered. “I want to know every move he makes and every word he utters.”
The guard nodded. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
Though Jungkook was troubled, a small, stubborn part of him refused to give in. The pin may have brought challenges, but it also symbolized something greater—his place as Taehyung’s consort and the strength he was slowly discovering within himself.
I won’t let Daek Kyun manipulate me, he thought. No matter how hard it gets, I’ll find my own answers.
As the palace teetered on the edge of chaos, the battle for the Royal Pin became more than just a struggle for power—it became a test of trust, love, and courage.
~
The Forgotten Library
The dimly lit corridors led Jungkook to the farthest wing of the royal mansion, where the old library stood in eerie silence. The heavy wooden door creaked as he pushed it open, revealing rows of towering shelves blanketed in years of dust. The air was thick, and the faint scent of aged parchment lingered.
Jungkook stepped inside, coughing as a swirl of dust rose with each step. He brushed his hands against the nearest table, leaving trails on its dusty surface. The room seemed untouched for decades, a forgotten corner of the palace that held secrets of its own.
Determined, Jungkook lit a lantern and began searching the shelves. His fingers skimmed over worn leather spines and yellowed scrolls, eyes scanning for anything that might hint at the Royal Pin’s mysterious power.
Half an hour passed, and Jungkook had little to show for his efforts. He found accounts of old wars, royal decrees, and ancestral records—but nothing about the pin. His frustration grew with every passing minute.
“Why is there nothing here?” he muttered under his breath, slamming yet another book shut. The sound echoed in the empty room, making him feel even more alone.
Fatigue began to set in. His hands trembled from holding the lantern too long, and his legs ached from crouching and reaching for high shelves. Jungkook sank onto a dusty stool, letting out a weary sigh.
Maybe it’s a lost cause, he thought. Maybe the truth isn’t here at all.
Just as Jungkook was about to leave, his eyes caught sight of an unusual chest tucked into the corner of the room, partially hidden by fallen books. Intrigued, he made his way over and carefully cleared away the debris. The chest was old and locked, its surface adorned with intricate carvings of mythical creatures.
Jungkook’s curiosity piqued. He ran his fingers over the carvings, noticing that one of the designs resembled the symbol etched onto the Royal Pin.
“This might be it,” he whispered to himself, heart pounding.
He tugged at the lock, but it wouldn’t budge. Frustrated yet determined, Jungkook decided he would return later with the key—or, if necessary, find another way to open it.
For now, the chest was a glimmer of hope in his search for answers, and Jungkook left the library with a newfound resolve. Whatever secrets the pin holds, I’ll uncover them, he vowed silently as he stepped back into the cold night air.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
