Jeon Jungkook. Dressed in ceremonial black, standing taller than the rest. Calm. Composed. Untouchable. The future leader of the pack. His presence alone was enough to make omegas lower their gazes. Taehyung told himself not to look. But he did. And for a brief, dangerous second- Jungkook was already looking at him. . A shiver ran down Taehyung's spine the moment his eyes met Jungkook's. Those eyes- Red. Glowing under the Red Moon, almost the same shade as the sky above them. For a second, Taehyung forgot how to breathe. Jeon Jungkook had been participating in the ceremony for five years now. Five long years of entering the forest and returning alone. The whole town whispered about it. They called him the unwanted Alpha. But only behind his back. No one had the courage to say it to his face. Every year, the true-blood heir stepped into the forest. Every year, he came back empty-handed. Some said he was too arrogant. Too cruel. That no omega would willingly submit to him. Others wondered if he was simply too strong-too terrifying. But Taehyung had another thought. What if he wasn't failing? What if he was waiting? Waiting for the right prey. Goosebumps erupted across Taehyung's skin. The tiny hairs on his arms stood up as if his body sensed something his mind refused to accept. Jungkook wasn't scanning the crowd. He wasn't looking at the other omegas. His gaze was steady. Focused. On him.

Jungkook stood at the aisle, his hands trembling slightly as he waited for his moo-for his Taehyung. His heart pounded loudly in his chest, every second stretching into eternity. Only he knew how long he had waited for this moment, how many nights he had dreamed of this day, of Taehyung walking toward him, dressed as his forever. But the time kept passing... and Taehyung didn't come. A faint murmur spread through the hall. Uneasiness crept into Jungkook's chest. "I'll go and see," Jin-Jungkook's mother-said, his voice laced with concern as he hurried away. Jungkook's breath hitched. His eyes remained fixed on the entrance, hoping... praying that any second now, Taehyung would appear. But instead of Taehyung, Jin returned. And in his hands was not joy-but a letter. Tears filled Jin's eyes as he looked at his son, his voice breaking as he spoke the words that shattered everything. "Jungkook... Taehyung ran away."