LOVE MAZE | VKOOK

➴ twelve.

Taehyung woke up by Jeongguk's mere touch on his shoulders. His sight landed on Jeongguk, who smiled a little before scooting closer.

"Could you sit up?" Jeongguk asked. Taehyung nodded and sat down, eyes landing on a newly cooked meat infront of him.

"Where did you get that?" Taehyung asked that made Jeongguk to grin. "I found a deer again at the west side and decided to cook it there. So whoever who's following us would think we stopped there."

Taehyung grinned too. "Now you're getting better at hiding too,"

"Hey, I made a promise to your brother that I'll keep you safe, Tae. And I won't break it." Jeongguk spoke, sincerely. Leaving Taehyung smiling at that. "Now eat."

"So bossy," Taehyung muttered but afterwards, giggled to himself. He started to devour the meat in silence, finding it somehow comforting. He could hear the gentle wind, leaves cascading and even the flow of waters. It brings him peace.

"Tae? Can I ask you something?" Jeongguk spoke. "How did you know someone's after us?"

Taehyung sighes. "I'm going to trust you with this, okay? Promise me you won't tell it to any single soul." Jeongguk nodded. "Promise me!"

"I promise you, Tae. Don't shout." Jeongguk chuckled. Taehyung nodded. "O-okay, you see, it's because I'm Phoenix."

"And what about it?"

Taehyung frowned at him. "Jeongguk, did you like, tried listening to our Ancient Stories? Histories? Prophecies?" Taehyung spoke. "Because for a future Alpha head like you, I know you're supposed to be mindful of what's the Phoenix. No offense."

Jeongguk chuckled. "Well, this future Alpha head is different." He spoke. "I don't like following the traditions. I want my life to be free from those cultures that tells us to be this and that, just because we're warewolves. I want to set an own path for myself and not to live a life following what the nature tells us to do, what the books and traditions tells us to do. But don't get me wrong, I respect them. It's just that, I don't follow them. I love Moon, with all my heart. But that does not mean I'll be like just anyone else following the traditions just to please her, right?"

"Oh.." Taehyung muttered.

"But, the more I think about it, I realized, I don't have a choice. Specially I'm going to be the head of my pack someday. And to be able to be the leader that my pack deserves, I have to know about these things. I have to follow the traditions. For the sake of my people."

For a moment, he felt like speechless. Everything that Jeongguk had just said opened his eyes again. Knocking some senses in him. "...you have to follow the tradition for your people, then the reason of being against of having a mate is for yourself then?"

"You could put it that way.." Jeongguk said, smiling apologetically to Taehyung. "I told myself, I would only follow the traditions and rules for my people. But for my personal life, I'd like it to be my way. No tradition, no rule. And I'm sorry if that selfishness of mine had broken your dream of having a good mate.."

"Hey, who said you're not a good mate?" Taehyung spoke, hands resting on Jeongguk's hand. "You could have just let me die, forget about me and go on with your life but you didn't. You chose to help me and now here we are, on our way to Blood moon peak to save my life. So no, Jeongguk. You didn't break my dream of having a good mate." He smiled softly. "Some things, no matter how long we wished for it, if it's not for us then it's not for us. I have waited so long for a good mate and eventhough we're not meant to be, I'm glad it's you."

"I'm glad it's you too," Jeongguk found himself breathless. Slowly, a smile formed into his lips, the side of his eyes showing wrinkles and with teeth visible. The kind of smile that he gives to his mother. The kind of smile that shows real happiness, without worries and all. The kind, that would be remembered by Taehyung maybe until his death.

Taehyung now isn't sure if Jeongguk's being adament, but with how loud his heart was thumping, it would not be a surprise if the alpha would hear it.

They were silent for awhile. Only the sound of the rushing water in a distant. And then Jeongguk looked at Taehyung. "What were we talking about earlier?"

Me. Being the Phoenix. Taehyung smiled. "Oh gosh, now that I think about it, I forgot." He lied. "Goodnight, Jeongguk."

The alpha smiled, wrapped his arm around Taehyung's shoulder and let him lean on him. He sighed comfortingly. "Goodnight Tae."

***

Taehyung opened his eyes, feeling a shift of wind. The birds were chirping but in a distant.

His eyes widened as it fell to unknown men, who were pointing a knife in Jeongguk's neck. "N-no, don't-"

"Come with us or I'll slit this alpha's throat." The brown haired growl lowly. Taehyung shudders in fear, knowing if he'll be away from Jeongguk then he'll feel the rejection pain again.

But he'd be selfish if he'll put Jeongguk's life in danger.

"N-no, please, let him go I'll go with you," Taehyung softly spoke. He looked at Jeongguk, who's still sleeping. Without thinking any further, he left a kiss on his cheek. "Get that thing away from him, I-I'll go with you,"

The man took away the knife, immediately putting a handkerchief on his nose. Within seconds, he felt his head going heavy and darkness consuming his vision.

***