𝐎𝐦𝐞𝐠𝐚'𝐬 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐝 [𝗄𝗈𝗈𝗄𝗏]

Chapter Twenty one

~~~

The second time bogum confessed his feelings, Taehyung Barely reacted, because the first time taehyung told him clearly that they will never be together.

It was evening, the sky bruised with deep purples and the last embers of sunlight. The air was thick with the scent of pine and distant rain, a storm waiting at the horizon.

Taehyung stood outside the packhouse, staring at the training grounds, Watching the Younger wolfs shifting back to their human form, and they tried their best to impress their Luna and show him how good and ready they are for the war that will come soon.

Taehyung smiled at the young boys who bowed and walked away from training grounds.

"Taehyung" a familiar voice called his name.

Taehyung turned around as he observed him with gentle smile, The wind tousled Bogum's dark hair, his brown eyes soft yet unwavering.

He approached the man in front of him. "Hey, what brought you here? I thought you have some works to do"

Bogum shook his head. "Yes, I had. But how did you know?" he asked, smiling slightly, pleased that Taehyung was aware of everything he did.

Taehyung blinked in confusion, why he is acting differently and kinda looks nervous.

"Well, I'm the Luna, so of course I know everything everyone does," Taehyung stated as he looked around, searching for an excuse to leave. He didn't want to stay here while his thoughts were slipping away from him.

Bogum sighed "Of course, I'm just another pack member for you"

Taehyung raised an eyebrow in confusion "what do you mean? You are member of my inner circle, and you are not just another pack member for us or me" he uttered as he wasn't getting why bogum was acting strangely.

"I'm sorry Taehyung, but the things I wanna tell you is that..." he trailed off, as he let out a sighed.

Taehyung waited for him to speak, eager to glimpse what was on his mind.

"I confessed before, but you said you were waiting for your mate. It's been almost ten years, and you still haven't found them—or me. Why don't we just be together?" Bogum asked, his eyes filled with hope, silently praying for the answer he longed for.

"You know that's not possible," Taehyung said, stepping back. He turned, ready to leave—ready to run—but Bogum's fingers curled around his wrist, holding him in place.

Taehyung met his gaze.

Bogum exhaled, a slow, measured breath, his smile laced with something fragile. "Why not?"

Taehyung's hands clenched at his sides. He didn't answer.

Because the truth was a name he couldn't speak.

"I just can't."

Bogum studied him, searching for something—hope, hesitation, a crack in his resolve. Then, he laughed, quiet and knowing. "I thought so."

Then why ask? Taehyung wanted to say.

But silence felt safer. So he let it settle between them.

~~~

Weeks passed but Bogum didn't leave. He didn't sulk or avoid Taehyung. Instead, he made himself comfortable in the spaces between silence, in the moments when Taehyung thought he'd finally be alone.

Bogum had never made Taehyung uncomfortable before—or maybe Taehyung had simply been too consumed by Jeongguk to notice.

But now, with Jeongguk gone, the world felt quieter, sharper.And in that quiet, Taehyung began to see things he hadn't before.