The Wolf's Heart

30

Left alone, Jungkook stared at the amulet in his hand. Its glow seemed to pulse in time with his heartbeat. He couldn’t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning—that the power of the pin, and the secrets it held, would soon change everything.

Taehyung moved swiftly through the dimly lit palace corridors, his anger boiling beneath a calm exterior. The betrayal by Dae Kyun wasn’t unexpected, but this open defiance and attempt to manipulate Jungkook pushed him past his limit. He reached the library, where Dae Kyun stood among the scattered remains of old books and scrolls, frustration etched on his face.

“Looking for something?” Taehyung’s voice echoed coldly through the chamber.

Dae Kyun froze, then slowly turned to face him. “Your Majesty,” he greeted mockingly, his tone dripping with feigned respect. “I didn’t expect to see you here tonight.”

Taehyung crossed the threshold, his sharp gaze piercing. “You’ve been crossing the line for too long, Dae kyun. Coming to my court, whispering poison into the ears of my people, and now threatening my consort? It ends tonight.”

Dae Kyun smirked, though his eyes flickered with unease. “I merely sought to educate Jungkook about the dangers of holding something he doesn’t understand. If anything, I was doing you a favor.”

“You don’t care about his safety,” Taehyung snapped, stepping closer. “All you care about is seizing power for yourself. Do you think I haven’t noticed your schemes? You’ve underestimated me, Dae Kyun.”

Dae Kyun’s calm facade cracked, his lips curling into a sneer. “Underestimated you? No, Your Majesty. I’ve been watching you. For all your strength and cunning, you’ve allowed yourself to be blinded by weakness—an omega you don’t even love.”

Taehyung’s jaw tightened, his expression unreadable. “Leave Jungkook out of this.”

“Oh, but he’s at the center of it, isn’t he?” Dae Kyun pressed, stepping forward boldly. “You think you can protect him forever? The pin’s power is too great for an innocent like him. He’ll crumble under its weight. Hand it over to someone who knows how to wield it, or watch him suffer.”

Taehyung’s fists clenched. “You speak as if you’re the rightful heir to its power, but you’re nothing more than a snake, slithering in the shadows. If you ever lay a hand on Jungkook again, I will end you myself.”

Dae Kyun’s smirk returned, though his eyes glinted with malice. “We’ll see, Your Majesty. The game is far from over.”

When Taehyung returned to his chambers, he found Jungkook sitting on the edge of the bed, the amulet still in his hands. His shoulders were tense, and his eyes darted up nervously when Taehyung entered.

“Is he gone?” Jungkook asked softly.

“For now,” Taehyung replied, his tone gentler than usual. He sat down beside Jungkook, his gaze falling on the amulet. “You shouldn’t have gone to the library alone. Dae Kyun is dangerous, Jungkook.”

Jungkook’s grip on the amulet tightened. “I needed to know the truth. Taehyung, this pin isn’t just a symbol—it’s... something else. It has power, doesn’t it?”

Taehyung hesitated before nodding. “It does. The pin has been a source of power and conflict for generations. Whoever wields it holds the key to not just ruling this kingdom, but influencing the fate of all kingdoms.”

“Why wasn’t I told?” Jungkook’s voice cracked, frustration and hurt lacing his words. “Why didn’t you trust me with this?”

“It wasn’t about trust,” Taehyung said quietly, his gaze fixed on the floor. “I didn’t want you to bear the burden. You’ve already been through enough. I thought I could protect you by keeping it from you.”

Jungkook shook his head, tears brimming in his eyes. “You don’t get to decide what I can handle, Taehyung. If I’m your consort, if I’m meant to stand beside you, then I deserve to know the truth.”

The vulnerability in Jungkook’s voice made Taehyung’s chest tighten. For a moment, he allowed himself to look at Jungkook, truly see him—the pain, the strength, the unwavering resolve.

“You’re right,” Taehyung admitted, his voice soft. “I’ve made mistakes. But I swear, Jungkook, I won’t let anyone hurt you. Not Dae Kyun, not anyone.”

Jungkook searched his face, as if trying to find a sliver of sincerity in the alpha’s words. “I don’t need you to protect me, Taehyung. I need you to trust me.”

Taehyung nodded slowly, the weight of Jungkook’s plea settling over him. “Then let’s face this together. Whatever comes next, we’ll deal with it as one.”

Jungkook’s lips quirked into a faint, hesitant smile. “Together?”

“Yes,” Taehyung said firmly. And for the first time in what felt like an eternity, they found a fragile, fleeting moment of understanding between them.

But in the shadows beyond their chamber, Dae Kyun’s schemes continued to unfold, threatening to shatter the delicate balance they had just begun to build.

Dae kyun being pain In the  ass