Try Me Alpha (Taekook)

Chapter 26: Doubts

I stood under the glowing lights of the festival, my heart pounding as I replayed the conversation I just had with Taehyung. My voice, my words—they all seemed like they had come from someone else, someone who wasn't me. The sincerity in Taehyung's wide, innocent eyes was haunting me now. What had I done?

I told him what I felt—or what I thought I felt—but was it even true? Did I really mean it? Or had I only said it because Midnight wouldn't stop badgering me about the mate bond? I ran a hand through my hair, frustrated. Midnight had been restless, pushing and pulling at my emotions ever since Taehyung arrived at the Red Moon Pack. It was like he wouldn't leave me alone until I confronted the Omega prince.

But now that I had, I felt... empty. Conflicted.

"Lisa," I muttered under my breath, feeling a pang of guilt. Lisa was my best friend, someone I'd known my whole life. My mother adored her and constantly talked about how perfect we were together. I liked Lisa—she was comfortable, familiar, and easy to be around. There were no complications with her. She was everything my mother wanted in a mate for me.

Then there was Taehyung.

Taehyung, with his soft, ethereal beauty and those wide, expressive eyes that seemed to see right through me. He made me feel... something. Something I couldn't quite name. It was confusing, overwhelming, and honestly, a little terrifying. Was this how the mate bond was supposed to feel?

I sighed, my chest tightening as more doubts and questions flooded my mind.

"What if this is a mistake?" I thought to myself. "Just because Taehyung is my mate doesn't mean we're supposed to be together, right? I mean, what if we're just too different? What if—"

Before I could finish my thought, Midnight stirred awake in my mind, his presence sharp and irritated.

"How dare you?" Midnight growled, his deep voice echoing in my head. "How dare you question the mate bond? Do you have any idea how lucky you are?"

I flinched, startled by his sudden outburst. Midnight rarely got angry with me, but now his frustration was palpable.

"Lucky?" I shot back in my mind, annoyed. "I didn't ask for this, Midnight. I didn't ask for him. And what about Lisa? What about my mother's expectations? You don't understand—"

"I understand perfectly," Midnight cut me off, his voice firm. "You're just scared. Scared to accept what's right in front of you. Let me remind you, Jungkook, not everyone is blessed with a mate. Do you even realize how rare and precious this bond is? The Moon Goddess herself chose Taehyung for us, and you're here doubting her decision? Pathetic."

His words stung, but I refused to back down.

"It's not that simple, Midnight," I argued. "Just because the Moon Goddess says something doesn't mean it's easy to accept. Taehyung might be my mate, but what if I can't give him what he deserves? What if I'm not enough for him?"

Midnight snorted, his irritation bleeding through the bond. "You're overthinking this, as usual. Taehyung is perfect for us, and you know it. The bond wouldn't exist if it wasn't meant to be. And don't even get me started on Lisa. She's not your mate, Jungkook. She never will be."

I clenched my fists, my jaw tightening. Midnight's unwavering faith in the mate bond only made me feel more uncertain.

"You don't get it," I muttered. "This isn't just about me. My mother has plans for me, for the pack. She wants Lisa by my side, and—"

"To hell with what your mother wants!" Midnight snapped, his anger flaring. "This isn't about her, Jungkook. This is about us. About our future. Taehyung is ours, and you're too much of a coward to admit it."