JEON JUNGKOOK

My head throbbed relentlessly, each pulse a reminder of the blow I'd taken. Voices swirled around me, muffled and distant, like echoes in a cavern. Someone called my name, but I couldn’t place who. The effort of opening my eyes was excruciating, and the daylight that flooded in forced them shut again.

"You take Sam, I've got him," a strong, steady voice commanded behind me.
A bitter laugh cut through the haze. "Oh my God," Sam sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. "I forgot—you can’t even heal. What kind of pathetic wolf can’t heal?"

I flinched inwardly, his words biting into me deeper than any physical wound could.

"Enough!" Yoongi's roar reverberated through the air, silencing everything. Even in my disoriented state, I shivered. "Sam, if you think you’re walking away from this unscathed, think again."

Before I could process what was happening, warmth enveloped me as strong arms lifted me effortlessly from the ground. My head lolled against a broad shoulder, and the scent of gasoline mixed with something uniquely comforting filled my nose. I sighed, the sharp pain in my skull softening slightly.

God, you scared me. His voice was soft, almost breaking.

I cracked my eyes open just enough to glimpse Taehyung’s face. His piercing green eyes met mine, scanning my features—lingering on my forehead, nose, lips. A deep frown marred his face.

Are you okay, pups?he asked, his voice a fragile thread of concern.

My head... I muttered weakly, unable to say more.

I’m sorry, he whispered. What did he say to you?

I clenched my eyes shut. I didn’t want to talk about Sam—not now, not ever. His words ricocheted inside my mind, impossible to ignore:

"Nothing. You’re nothing. No one’s going to want you. What kind of pathetic wolf can’t heal?"

I felt like a broken shell, every crack exposed for the world to see.

Leave it, I said coldly, hoping to deflect Taehyung's probing gaze.

You can’t hide things from me, he replied, his voice low and unwavering.

If I want to talk, I’ll talk, I shot back, meeting his eyes with defiance. Stop pushing me.

His expression flickered—anger, concern, and something I couldn’t quite name. But he said nothing more, carrying me the rest of the way in heavy silence.

---

The pack house loomed ahead, and as we reached the back door, I squirmed in his arms. "You can put me down now," I muttered, my tone clipped.

Taehyung let out a sharp breath through his nose. "Not a chance," he said firmly, pushing the kitchen door open and setting me down on the counter.

"Let me see," he murmured, his hand already reaching for the back of my neck. I recoiled, swatting his hand away.

"Just leave it," I growled.

"Jungkook—"

The door swung open, cutting him off as Jimin and Lisa rushed in, their faces painted with worry. Lisa immediately pushed Taehyung aside, her hands going straight to my head.

"Let me see," she demanded.

Taehyung stepped back, leaning against the counter, his arms folded tightly. His gaze never left me, burning into my skin with a mixture of frustration and hurt.

---

As Lisa cleaned my wound, every sting felt like salt on my pride. Her verdict—stitches—was the last thing I wanted to hear. "No hospital," I snapped, my voice trembling with anger and embarrassment.

"Jungkook, please—" Jimin’s voice was soft but insistent.

"No!" I shouted, jumping down from the counter. My legs wobbled, but I steadied myself, determined to prove I didn’t need anyone’s help.

Pups. Taehyung’s voice stopped me in my tracks, quiet yet commanding. Please, listen to them.

"I don’t need stitches," I mumbled, avoiding his eyes as I stumbled out of the kitchen.

---

I collapsed onto the living room couch, the soft leather a poor balm for the storm raging inside me. The TV flickered with mindless reruns, but nothing could drown out the echoes of Sam’s words.

"Nothing. You’re nothing."

The door behind me creaked open, and I didn’t need to look to know who it was. Taehyung’s scent filled the room, wrapping around me like an unyielding embrace.

"Can we talk, pups?" he asked, his voice laced with exhaustion.

I bit my lip, turning off the TV with a sharp click. As I stood to leave, his hand caught my wrist, spinning me around to face him.

"Stop trying to walk away," he said, desperation threading through his tone.

"Let me go," I hissed, tears stinging my eyes.

"No," he said firmly. "Stop pushing me away, Jungkook."

The dam broke.

"You don’t understand!" I yelled, pounding my fists weakly against his chest. "You don’t know what it’s like to be the weak one, the worthless one. I’m nothing—nothing compared to you!"

Taehyung’s eyes burned with a mixture of anguish and determination. "Don’t you dare say that," he whispered, his hands cradling my face. "You are everything to me. Do you hear me? Everything."

My knees buckled, and he caught me, holding me tightly as I sobbed into his chest.

---

In the quiet aftermath, his voice broke the silence.

"I think you need to talk to someone," he said gently, his forehead resting against mine. "You deserve to heal, Jungkook—not just physically. Please, for me?"

"I’ll try," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

"You’re not alone," he murmured, his lips brushing against my temple. "I’ll always be here, pups. Always."

For the first time in what felt like forever, a glimmer of warmth pierced through the darkness.

Banner and cover by The_Celestial_Oasis-  Sugaga777