The Dark Fate of Wolves

Jeon, Jungkook’s father, sat beside his wife, Young-hee, both wearing soft, polite smiles. Across from them sat Moon, Irum’s father, and his wife, Qamar, their faces reflecting quiet contentment.

Then Jeon spoke, his voice warm:

“So, my friend Moon — at last, we shall become in-laws.”

Young-hee smiled, nodding in agreement.

“Yes, Jungkook and Irum have been engaged since the day they were born — Qamar and I gave birth to them on the very same day. Their destinies were sealed from the start. I'm glad my son will finally marry and uphold the laws of our ancient society.”

Qamar smiled awkwardly, shifting in her seat.

“Well… we’re happy, of course, but… I don’t think the kids are going to take this news very well.”

Moon exhaled indifferently.

“Whether they accept it or not makes no difference. We are werewolves — in matters of marriage, the parents decide. It’s final. The wedding will take place as agreed… at mid-month, when the full moon rises to bring them good fortune.”

Jeon nodded and shook his friend’s hand with a pleased smile.

“I look forward to it.”

—

At that very moment, our heroine, Irum, was out buying herself some snacks.

A sharp, unpleasant scent struck her nose, making her grimace as she turned. There he was — the neighbor boy, Jungkook. His face wore the same scornful expression it always did around her.

“Your scent makes me want to vomit,” he said flatly.

Irum rolled her eyes and smirked.

“As if you stole the words right out of my mouth.”

Jungkook gave a mocking grin.

“Stole? Or perhaps… took by force? Just like I’ve always taken everything from you because I’m stronger — like when I stole the class president seat in elementary school, the title of smartest student in middle school, and… ah… the most popular boy in high school…”

Irum snapped, cutting him off.

“You didn’t take anything! You cheated in ninth grade! You were never smarter than me!”

Jungkook laughed cruelly.

“That’s what you tell yourself every night so you can sleep.”

He stepped forward, tapping the tip of her nose with his finger.

“Dear Irum… yes, we’re both Alphas. But we both know who the stronger, smarter Alpha is.”

With a wink, he started walking ahead of her.

Irum gripped the bag of potato chips so tightly it burst in her hands, then shouted furiously:

“Jeon Jungkook! I’ll crush you like a bug! Just you wait, you filthy cheater!”

A few seconds later, his mocking laugh echoed down the street.

“The weak always blame something for their incompetence.”

Her anger boiled over — she hurled a shoe at him with Alpha strength. It struck the back of his head with a thud, making his nose bleed.

Jungkook turned to face her, furious, blood trailing from his nostril.

Irum’s eyes widened — she hadn’t meant to hurt him — but she forced a smug grin and teased,

“Not looking so strong now, are you, Mr. Jeon? Bleeding from a shoe hit?”

Jungkook clenched his fists and gritted his teeth.

“Moon Irum… I’m going to kill you today!”

Irum burst out laughing, darting away as she teased him.

“That’s if you can catch me, you slowpoke Alpha!”

Jungkook took a deep breath and shook his head in exasperation.

His phone buzzed. It was his girlfriend, Miura.

Rolling his eyes, he muttered under his breath,

“As if I’d waste my precious time on you, you knock-off Alpha.”

Then he answered in a calm, commanding tone.

“Hello, darling. I’m arriving at the store now. Don’t pick anything yet — I’ll choose what suits you.”

Miura’s gentle voice replied,

“Okay, Jungkook… I can’t wait to see what you pick. You’re the best… my man.”

Jungkook chuckled softly.

“Miura, you always know what to say to fix my mood after dealing with certain people who excel at irritating me.”

—

Meanwhile, Irum’s phone rang.

It was her dear friend Taehyung.

A wide grin spread across her face as she answered enthusiastically:

“Tae Tae! I’m on my way to your place now, and I’ve got a ton of snacks.”

Taehyung:

“I told you not to buy anything. I have everything here. Just hurry up… I’m trapped offline, avoiding spoilers for Squid Game. We have to binge the new season without delay.”

Irum giggled.

“Okay, okay! Geez, you’re eager to see my gorgeous face, aren’t you?”

Taehyung blushed and replied shyly,

“Don’t joke about that… your face… it’s really… you’re the prettiest girl I know.”

Irum’s face grew hot. She froze in place, her heart thudding wildly. Covering the speaker with her palm, she whispered to herself,

“Calm down, Irum… he’s just a friend… a human friend… and you’re a werewolf… nothing can happen between you… no matter how much he flirts… no matter how much you like him… human and werewolf… it’s unnatural…”

She pressed the phone back to her ear.

“Hello? Irum? Are you still there?”

Irum snapped,

“Of course! I’m here. I’m hanging up now… get the popcorn ready!”

She ended the call before he could respond, tousling her hair in frustration.

“Ugh… Every time I try to be nice, my Alpha nature kicks in and I turn into a jerk… and yet… he puts up with me so well… like he’s an Omega…

If he were an Omega… he’d be mine…

Ugh… Bad luck as usual, Irum…”

—

She pounded on Taehyung’s door, calling loudly,

“Taaae! Open up, I need the bathroom!”

Seconds later, he opened the door, cheeks flushed, gesturing her in.

“Irum… don’t yell things like that out loud!”

She rolled her eyes, tossed the snack bags onto the floor, and made a beeline for the bathroom.

“So what? Every creature uses a bathroom.”

Taehyung ran a hand through his hair, smiling fondly. He began sorting the snack bags onto the table. His apartment was simple and tidy — unlike most guys his age. Raised in the countryside, he’d moved to the city for university, but his gentle, innocent nature hadn’t changed. Maybe that’s what drew Irum to him.

—

She came out minutes later, plopped onto the couch, grabbed the remote, and flicked on the TV.

“Get me some water. I’m thirsty.”

Taehyung teased,

“You just emptied some water, and now you want to refill?”

Irum flushed.

“Taehyung! That’s no way to talk to a lady!”

He stuck his tongue out.

“Then act like a lady, and I’ll treat you like a gentleman.”

Irum scowled, leaped onto her knees, and shoved him down onto the couch, straddling him. Of course, she didn’t use her strength — he was human, and it was against the law to harm humans.

“Then tell me,” she demanded, “how should I act? Like a Sir?”

Taehyung blushed deeper at their position, then smiled.

“Umm… no… you should act like Irum. I can’t explain it… there’s only one Irum in the world. I can’t compare you to anyone else… and honestly… I don’t want you to be anything else… because Irum is better than any lady, gentleman, or Sir.”

He looked away bashfully.

Irum’s face turned crimson. She scrambled off him, sitting a safe distance away.

“Oh, look — let’s start the show.”

Taehyung cleared his throat, straightened up, and nodded.

“I’ll… go get the popcorn.”

As he hurried to the kitchen, Irum pressed her burning cheeks.

“He’s so adorable it drives me insane… calm down, Irum… you’ll be locked in the werewolf prison if you can’t control your feelings…”

—

At the same time, Jungkook arrived at a luxury fashion boutique where Miura was waiting outside. Upon seeing him, she beamed. Jungkook ruffled her hair gently, asking with a firm yet kind tone,

“Have you been waiting long?”

Miura smiled sweetly.

“I don’t mind waiting for you.”

Jungkook smiled back, taking her hand as they headed inside.

“I want to design clothes for pretty girls like you, Miura. I’ll pick out some pieces, then start sketching a dress for you.”

Miura blushed.

“I don’t deserve to wear the beautiful things you’ll make for me…”

Jungkook smiled, holding a soft pink blouse against a white skirt.

“Try these on.”

Miura dashed into the fitting room.

As Jungkook waited, his eyes landed on a shoe — identical to the one Irum had hurled at him. His jaw tightened.

“How I hate her,” he muttered.

Miura soon emerged and twirled.

“How do I look?”

He studied her, then smiled.

“Elegant. Now try this.”

He handed her a pale yellow dress reaching just above the knees.

Miura hesitated, pointing to the same dress in red.

“What about this one?”

Jungkook’s tone hardened.

“Never wear red. It doesn’t suit your complexion. Understood?”

She nodded meekly and took the yellow one.

They continued shopping late into the evening. Jungkook jotted down fabric names and color combinations on his phone for future designs.

When night fell, he walked Miura home, kissed her on the forehead, and drove away.

Upon reaching his home, he found his parents waiting. Young-hee gestured for him to sit. Jungkook sighed and dropped into a chair.

“Whatever it is,” he grumbled, “just get to the point.”

Jeon smiled, exchanged glances with Young-hee, then faced his son.

“We’ve arranged your marriage to Irum. It’ll be in one month and ten days, on the night of the Blood Moon — a blessed night, the perfect start for both of you.”

…To be continued…