𝐎𝐦𝐞𝐠𝐚'𝐬 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐝 [𝗄𝗈𝗈𝗄𝗏]

Chapter Thirty Two

~~~

The sky was painted in soft grays and pale golds when Taehyung and his party prepared to leave the Azura Pack's territory.

Taehyung stood near the main gates, posture regal yet subdued, his robes draped neatly over his frame. He exuded the quiet authority of a Luna who had seen too much in too little time.

A few steps behind Taehyung, Jeongguk scanned the clearing with a careful gaze. His stance was protective, arms folded over his chest, as though daring anyone to overstep.

Mingyu and Jaehyun were off to the side, double-checking the horses. The animals snorted and pawed at the ground, sensing the shift in the atmosphere.

Mingyu ran a hand along one horse's mane, murmuring reassurances, while Jaehyun fiddled with the saddle straps, occasionally shooting glances at Taehyung and Jeongguk.

"Looks like they're ready to go," Mingyu said under his breath, his tone low.

Jaehyun nodded, casting a sidelong look at Jeongguk. "Yeah. But are they?"

Mingyu didn't answer. He didn't need to.

The Alpha of the Azura Pack approached then, his stride measured. He inclined his head to Taehyung in a show of respect. "Luna Taehyung," he began, voice resonating in the hush.

"We appreciate your presence at the summit and your contributions to our discussions. May the Moon Goddess guide you safely back to your lands."

Taehyung dipped his head, his expression composed. "Thank you for hosting us," he replied softly. "Your pack has been most accommodating."

A short distance away, Minhyun hovered with that same unreadable glint in his eyes. He offered a slight bow to Taehyung, though his gaze lingered a second too long. "It was a pleasure having you, Luna. I do hope we'll cross paths again under more... favorable circumstances."

Jeongguk scoffed under his breath, adjusting the sleeves of his coat.

The past few days had been unbearable, and the thought of finally returning home was the only thing keeping him from losing his patience entirely.

He had been forced to watch Minhyun hover around Taehyung like an eager pup, and Taehyung, for whatever reason, hadn't pushed him away.

Not in the way he had pushed him.

Jeongguk's jaw tensed, but he kept his silence.

With formalities concluded, Taehyung stepped toward the waiting carriage. He moved with an elegant precision.

Jeongguk followed a step behind, and the contrast between them—one all poised serenity, the other a guarded sentinel—did not go unnoticed by the onlookers.

Mingyu and Jaehyun exchanged final words with the Azura stable hands before mounting their own horses.

Jeongguk held the carriage door open, but Taehyung climbed in on his own. Jeongguk settled in after him, closing the door gently.

The driver flicked the reins, and the horses began to move, their hooves creating a steady rhythm against the packed dirt.

The Azura Pack's territory faded behind them, the towering pines and sturdy walls gradually giving way to the open road.

Jeongguk wanted to be angry. He wanted to demand answers. He wanted to shake Taehyung, make him feel even half the turmoil raging inside him.

But then he looked at him—really looked at him—and for the first time, he noticed the exhaustion in Taehyung's eyes, the way his shoulders carried a weight no one else could see.