The rebel
TAEHYUNG'S POV
The night was cold.
Too cold.
But Kim Taehyung barely felt it.
His lungs burned.
His heart hammered against his ribs.
His polished black shoes were no longer clean.
Mud clung to the expensive leather.
The hem of his black tuxedo was torn slightly from one side.
His white shirt was wrinkled.
The first two buttons were undone.
His black bow tie hung loosely around his neck, almost useless now.
And his perfectly styled hair-
Which had taken his stylist nearly an hour to arrange-
Was now slightly messy.
A few strands had fallen over his forehead.
Others clung to his damp temples.
Yet somehow...
He still looked breathtaking.
Sharp jaw.
High cheekbones.
Full lips.
Long lashes.
And those fierce, almond-shaped eyes-
Eyes that refused to surrender.
Eyes that had always carried something dangerous beneath their beauty.
Taehyung was beautiful.
But tonight...
He looked like a beautiful disaster.
A runaway prince.
A furious heir.
A boy running away from a marriage that had never been his choice.
His breathing became heavier.
He looked over his shoulder.
Nothing.
Only darkness.
Trees.
Fog.
And the distant sound of his own footsteps.
But Taehyung knew better.
His father would send people after him.
He knew that.
Mr. Kim Ivan never accepted losing control.
Especially not over his own son.
Taehyung swallowed hard.
"Come on..."
He whispered to himself.
"Just keep running."
His legs were beginning to ache.
But he didn't stop.
Because if he stopped-
He would be taken back.
Back to that mansion.
Back to that wedding.
Back to the man whose name had been haunting every conversation for the last week.
Jeon Jungkook.
The Italian mafia king.
Thirty-two years old.
Ruthless.
Merciless.
Powerful.
A man Taehyung had never met.
A man he had never wanted to meet.
And apparently...
A man he was supposed to marry.
ONE WEEK EARLIER
Morning sunlight entered the dining room through the enormous glass windows.
The Kim mansion looked peaceful.
Elegant.
Expensive.
Almost unreal.
The long dining table was covered with silver cutlery.
Crystal glasses.
Porcelain plates.
Fresh flowers.
A breakfast spread large enough for twenty people.
But Taehyung wasn't interested in any of it.
He sat lazily in his chair.
One leg crossed over the other.
His silk robe loosely wrapped around his body.
His fingers were scrolling through his phone.
His expression was bored.
Across from him sat his mother.
Kim Si-jungi.
She was dressed perfectly.
Cream-colored designer dress.
Pearl earrings.
Perfect makeup.
Not a single strand of hair out of place.
Beside her sat Seokjin.
His elder brother.
The only person at this table Taehyung genuinely trusted.
And at the head of the table-
Kim Ivan.
Taehyung's father.
The man Taehyung had stopped calling Dad years ago.
Ivan placed his coffee cup down.
The tiny sound of porcelain touching the saucer somehow silenced the entire room.
Taehyung didn't look up.
"Taehyung."
He heard his father's voice.
He continued scrolling.
"Yes, Mr. Kim?"
Ivan's jaw tightened.
"Put your phone away."
Taehyung slowly looked up.
One eyebrow lifted.
"Why?"
"Because I am speaking to you."
"And?"
Seokjin closed his eyes for a moment.
He already knew where this was going.
Taehyung smiled innocently.
Ivan stared at him.
"You have always been disrespectful."
Taehyung shrugged.
"And you have always been controlling."
"Taehyung."
"What?"
"Enough."
Taehyung finally placed the phone on the table.
"Fine."
He leaned back.
"Talk."
Ivan inhaled slowly.
Then he said it.
"You are getting married."
Silence.
Taehyung blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Then he laughed.
A small laugh.
Almost disbelieving.
"I'm sorry?"
Ivan remained expressionless.
"You heard me."
Taehyung looked toward Seokjin.
His brother's face had gone unusually serious.
Taehyung's smile disappeared.
"Hyung?"
Seokjin looked at him.
"Taehyung..."
"What did he just say?"
Seokjin didn't answer.
Taehyung slowly turned back toward Ivan.
"Who?"
Ivan picked up his coffee.
"A suitable alliance has been arranged."
Taehyung stared at him.
"Alliance?"
His voice became colder.
"I'm not a company."
Ivan ignored him.
"You will marry Jeon Jungkook."
Taehyung's fingers stopped moving.
The room seemed to freeze.
"Who?"
Ivan looked at him.
"Jeon Jungkook."
Taehyung's eyes narrowed.
"The Jeon?"
"Yes."
"The mafia family?"
Ivan's expression didn't change.
"The Jeon Empire."
Taehyung stared at him.
Then he laughed again.
This time there was nothing amused about it.
"You've got to be joking."
"I'm not."
Taehyung looked at his mother.
"Mom?"
Si-jungi calmly continued eating.
Taehyung stared.
"Mom."
She looked up.
"What?"
"Tell me this is some ridiculous joke."
She sighed.
"Taehyung, don't make a scene this early in the morning."
Taehyung's mouth fell open slightly.
"A scene?"
He pointed toward himself.
"I'm being told I'm marrying a thirty-two-year-old mafia king from Italy, and you're worried about me making a scene?"
His mother shrugged.
"He's wealthy."
Taehyung stared at her.
For several seconds.
Then he laughed under his breath.
"Of course."
He shook his head.
"Of course that's what matters."
His mother frowned.
"Don't be dramatic."
"Drama?"
Taehyung leaned forward.
"You are selling your son."
Ivan slammed his hand against the table.
"Watch your words."
Taehyung didn't flinch.
"Why?"
His eyes became fierce.
"Did I say something incorrect?"
"That marriage will strengthen both families."
"I'm not marrying him."
"You are."
"No."
Ivan's voice hardened.
"Yes."
"No."
"Taehyung."
"I said no."
The tension in the dining room became unbearable.
Seokjin finally spoke.
"Mr. Kim..."
Ivan looked at him.
"Stay out of this, Seokjin."
Seokjin's expression hardened.
"He's my brother."
"And I'm his father."
Taehyung gave a bitter laugh.
"Father?"
Ivan looked at him.
Taehyung leaned back.
"You remembered that word today?"
"Enough."
"No."
Taehyung stood.
"I've had enough."
His chair scraped loudly against the floor.
He pointed toward his father.
"I'm not marrying some stranger."
Ivan stood as well.
"You will."
"I won't."
"You have no choice."
Taehyung's eyes flashed.
"I always have a choice."
Ivan's face darkened.
"Not when your choice affects this family."
Taehyung scoffed.
"There it is."
He nodded slowly.
"The family."
He looked toward his mother.
"The business."
Then toward his father.
"The money."
His laugh was hollow.
"Never me."
Seokjin stood.
"Taehyung..."
Taehyung turned toward him.
"Hyung."
There was something different in his voice now.
Something vulnerable.
"Please."
Seokjin immediately understood.
He stepped toward him.
"Come outside."
Ivan's voice followed.
"This discussion isn't over."
Taehyung turned around.
"Oh, it is."
He looked directly at him.
"Because I'm not marrying him."
Then he walked away.
Seokjin followed.
But before leaving, he turned toward their parents.
His usually warm expression had vanished.
"Congratulations."
Ivan frowned.
"For what?"
Seokjin gave him a calm smile.
"For managing to make your son hate you even more."
Then he walked out.
---
THE CORRIDOR
Taehyung walked quickly.
Too quickly.
Seokjin followed.
"Taehyung."
No response.
"Taehyung, wait."
Still nothing.
Seokjin finally caught his wrist.
Taehyung stopped.
"Leave me."
"No."
"Hyung."
"Look at me."
Taehyung didn't.
Seokjin stepped around him.
"Look at me."
Taehyung finally did.
His eyes were angry.
But underneath the anger-
There was fear.
Seokjin's expression softened.
"You don't have to marry him."
Taehyung stared.
"What?"
"I said you don't have to."
Taehyung's voice dropped.
"Dad already decided."
"He's decided."
Seokjin corrected.
"That doesn't mean you have."
Taehyung looked away.
"You know what he does when people disobey him."
"I know."
"He'll lock me in the mansion."
"I know."
"He'll take my phone."
"I know."
"He'll send people after me."
Seokjin hesitated.
"Probably."
Taehyung laughed bitterly.
"Then what exactly am I supposed to do?"
Seokjin stepped closer.
"Fight."
Taehyung looked at him.
"I've been fighting my entire life."
"I know."
"I'm tired."
Those two words came out quietly.
Seokjin's expression changed.
Taehyung looked down.
"I don't want to become somebody's wife because Dad thinks it'll improve the company."
Seokjin's jaw tightened.
"I know."
"I don't even know him."
"I know."
"They say he's a monster."
Seokjin didn't respond immediately.
Taehyung looked at him.
"Hyung."
"What?"
"Is he really that dangerous?"
Seokjin's silence was answer enough.
Taehyung swallowed.
"Great."
He rubbed his forehead.
"I'm going to die."
"You won't."
"How do you know?"
"Because I'll make sure you don't."
Taehyung looked at him.
Seokjin placed both hands on his shoulders.
"Listen to me."
Taehyung nodded.
"I'll talk to Dad."
"You already tried."
"I'll try harder."
"He doesn't listen to you."
"Then I'll find another way."
Taehyung's eyes softened.
"You promise?"
Seokjin smiled.
"I promise."
Taehyung stared at him.
Then suddenly hugged him.
Seokjin froze.
Taehyung buried his face against his shoulder.
"I'm scared."
Seokjin wrapped his arms around him.
"I know."
"I hate this."
"I know."
"I don't want to marry him."
"You won't."
"What if Dad forces me?"
Seokjin pulled back.
"Then we run."
Taehyung blinked.
"What?"
Seokjin smiled.
"We run."
Taehyung stared.
"You'd run with me?"
"Obviously."
"You'd abandon the family?"
"I'd abandon everything before I let them destroy you."
Taehyung smiled faintly.
"You're the only sane person in this family."
Seokjin laughed.
"Don't tell Mom."
"I won't."
"And Taehyung..."
"Hmm?"
"Trust me."
Taehyung nodded.
"I do."
Seokjin hugged him again.
Neither of them knew-
That one week later-
Those words would become the reason Taehyung ran.
---
PRESENT
Taehyung's lungs burned.
He stumbled.
Caught himself against a tree.
"Fuck..."
He looked behind him.
Nothing.
He kept moving.
The forest was getting darker.
The road had disappeared long ago.
His tuxedo was ruined.
His shoes were soaked.
His breathing came in broken gasps.
But he refused to stop.
Then-
Something sparkled inside the bushes.
Taehyung froze.
His eyes narrowed.
There.
Two bright reflections.
Low to the ground.
Watching him.
Taehyung slowly stepped backward.
"What the..."
The bushes moved.
His heart stopped.
Something growled.
Taehyung's entire body went rigid.
"No."
He took another step backward.
The creature moved forward.
Taehyung's breathing became shallow.
"Okay..."
He whispered.
"Easy..."
The animal growled again.
Then-
A hand suddenly grabbed his waist.
Taehyung gasped.
"WHAT-"
He was yanked sideways.
His back slammed against a massive tree.
A hand covered his mouth.
Taehyung's eyes widened.
A familiar voice whispered beside his ear.
"Don't scream."
Taehyung nearly cried from relief.
"Jimin!"
Park Jimin released him.
Taehyung immediately grabbed his arm.
"Where the hell did you come from?"
Jimin glared.
"Where the hell did YOU come from?"
"I was running."
"I can see that!"
"You scared me!"
"You scared ME!"
Taehyung looked at him.
Jimin was breathless.
His hair was messy.
His expensive coat was covered in dirt.
He looked furious.
"You disappeared from your own wedding!"
Taehyung crossed his arms.
"I didn't disappear."
"You escaped!"
"Same thing."
"No!"
Jimin grabbed his shoulders.
"Do you know what I went through when I heard you were gone?"
Taehyung's expression softened.
"Jimin..."
"I called you twenty times!"
"My phone was on silent."
"Obviously!"
"I was busy."
"Running from your wedding?"
"Yes."
Jimin stared at him.
Then sighed.
"You idiot."
Taehyung smiled.
"You're my lawyer."
"I'm your best friend."
"Both."
"And apparently I'm also your emergency rescue service."
Taehyung grinned.
"You're good at it."
Jimin rolled his eyes.
"Come on."
"Where?"
"Somewhere safe."
"How safe?"
"Safe enough that your father won't find you."
Taehyung smiled.
"Then let's go."
Jimin stared at him.
"What?"
Taehyung opened his arms.
Jimin sighed.
"You want a hug?"
Taehyung nodded.
"Yes."
"You're impossible."
"I know."
Jimin hugged him.
Taehyung squeezed tightly.
"Thank you."
Jimin patted his back.
"Don't thank me yet."
"Why?"
"Because we're probably both going to die."
Taehyung laughed.
"At least we'll die together."
Jimin pulled away.
"Don't say things like that."
Taehyung smiled.
"I'm joking."
Jimin stared at him.
"You better be."
AT KIM MANSION,
Kim Ivan stood in the middle of the living room.
His face was red with fury.
"HOW DID HE ESCAPE?"
Nobody answered.
Security guards stood silently.
Ivan turned toward them.
"Answer me!"
One guard swallowed.
"Sir... the rear security gate was disabled."
"By whom?"
"We don't know."
Ivan grabbed the nearest table.
His fingers curled around the edge.
"Find him."
"Yes, sir."
"Now."
The guards rushed away.
On the couch sat Si-jungi.
She crossed her legs elegantly.
Her eyes remained on her phone.
As if none of this concerned her.
Ivan turned toward Seokjin.
"You knew."
Seokjin looked up.
"No."
"You knew he would run."
"I suspected."
"You let him."
Seokjin smiled.
"I didn't stop him."
Ivan's eyes narrowed.
"How dare you."
Seokjin stood.
"How dare I?"
"He's your brother."
"Exactly."
"You should have restrained him."
"He's not a criminal."
Ivan scoffed.
"He's destroying an alliance."
"No."
Seokjin stepped closer.
"He's refusing to destroy himself."
Ivan's face became darker.
"You will bring him back."
Seokjin's smile was calm.
"No."
"What did you say?"
"I said no."
Ivan stared at him.
For the first time-
Seokjin looked completely fearless.
"If you want your son back, maybe ask yourself why he ran."
Ivan laughed bitterly.
"Because he's spoiled."
Seokjin's expression hardened.
"No."
He pointed toward the empty hallway.
"Because he knows exactly what you're doing."
Si-jungi finally looked up.
"Can both of you stop shouting?"
Seokjin turned toward her.
"Mom."
She shrugged.
"What do you expect me to do?"
"Be his mother."
She stared.
Then looked away.
"The marriage will benefit him."
Seokjin laughed.
"Benefit him?"
"He'll live in luxury."
"He already does."
"He'll have power."
"He doesn't need someone else's power."
"He'll have protection."
Seokjin's voice became cold.
"From whom?"
Silence.
He nodded.
"Exactly."
Ivan slammed his fist against the table.
"Enough!"
Suddenly-
The mansion doors opened.
Everyone turned.
Silence descended.
Footsteps.
Slow.
Heavy.
Deliberate.
A man entered.
Tall.
Enormous.
Dressed completely in black.
A long black coat hung from his broad shoulders.
His dark hair was slightly wet.
Several strands fell across his forehead.
His face was expressionless.
Sharp.
Cold.
Almost unnaturally calm.
His eyes-
Dark.
Deep.
Merciless.
The entire room seemed to change around him.
Ivan's anger disappeared.
His face went pale.
He immediately straightened.
"Mr. Jeon."
Seokjin froze.
Si-jungi lowered her phone.
The man didn't answer.
He simply walked forward.
One step.
Another.
Behind him stood several men.
But none of them mattered.
Because the man in front-
Was enough.
Kim Ivan immediately bowed.
"I'm sorry."
The man stopped.
His gaze remained emotionless.
"For what?"
Ivan swallowed.
"Taehyung."
The man's eyebrow lifted.
"My fiancé?"
Ivan nodded.
"He escaped."
Silence.
Then-
The man's lips curved.
Not a smile.
Something darker.
Something that made Ivan's blood run cold.
"He escaped?"
"Yes."
"When?"
"Approximately an hour ago."
The man's gaze moved across the mansion.
"Find him."
Ivan nodded rapidly.
"We already sent people."
The man looked at him.
"I didn't ask what you sent."
Ivan went silent.
"I asked where he is."
Nobody answered.
The man's eyes darkened.
"Find him."
IN THE FOREST
Jimin drove through the darkness.
Taehyung sat beside him.
His head rested against the window.
"You know..."
Jimin glanced at him.
"What?"
"I feel bad."
Jimin laughed.
"You should."
Taehyung looked at him.
"Not about escaping."
"Of course."
"I feel bad that you had to come."
"You dragged me into this."
"I didn't."
"You disappeared."
"I had reasons."
"You could've called."
"I couldn't."
"You could've texted."
"I couldn't."
"You could've sent a pigeon."
Taehyung laughed.
"A pigeon?"
"Yes."
"Where would I find one?"
"I don't know. You're the runaway heir."
Taehyung laughed harder.
Then-
The car suddenly stopped.
Both of them jerked forward.
"What the hell?"
Jimin tried starting the engine.
Nothing.
Again.
Nothing.
Taehyung stared at him.
"Jimin."
"Wait."
Again.
Nothing.
Taehyung slowly turned.
"Don't tell me."
Jimin closed his eyes.
"We're out of fuel."
Taehyung stared.
Then slammed his hand against the dashboard.
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?"
Jimin winced.
"Don't hit my car!"
"Your car just betrayed us!"
"It ran out of fuel!"
"Same thing!"
Jimin sighed.
"Get out."
Taehyung stared.
"Why?"
"Because we're running."
Taehyung looked outside.
"Again?"
"Yes."
"You're enjoying this."
"No."
Jimin opened the door.
"We need to move before your father's men find us."
Taehyung grabbed the water bottle.
"Fine."
They ran.
---
THE PHONE CALL
Minutes passed.
Their footsteps echoed through the forest.
Then Taehyung's phone vibrated.
He stopped.
Jimin turned.
"Who?"
Taehyung looked at the screen.
His expression softened.
"Hyung."
He answered.
"Hello?"
"Taehyung!"
Seokjin's voice came through immediately.
"Where are you?"
Taehyung smiled.
"I'm okay."
"Don't lie."
"I'm not."
"Are you hurt?"
"No."
"Who are you with?"
Taehyung glanced at Jimin.
"Jimin."
Seokjin exhaled.
A long breath.
"Thank God."
Taehyung smiled.
"I told you I'd be okay."
"You disappeared on your wedding day."
"Technically..."
"Taehyung."
"Okay."
Seokjin sighed.
"Listen carefully."
"I'm listening."
"Don't come back."
Taehyung's smile disappeared.
"What?"
"Don't come home."
"Why?"
Seokjin hesitated.
"Because he's there."
Taehyung's stomach tightened.
"Who?"
Seokjin didn't answer.
Taehyung already knew.
"Jungkook?"
Silence.
Taehyung's heart began beating faster.
"He came?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
Seokjin's voice dropped.
"To find you."
Taehyung swallowed.
"I'll call you later."
"Taehyung-"
He ended the call.
Jimin stared at him.
"He's here?"
Taehyung nodded.
"Jungkook."
Jimin's face became serious.
"Then we need to move."
They ran.
Faster.
Harder.
Then-
Jimin's foot hit something.
"Ah!"
He fell.
Taehyung immediately stopped.
"Jimin!"
He rushed back.
"Are you okay?"
Jimin clenched his teeth.
"My ankle."
Taehyung crouched beside him.
"Can you move?"
"Yeah."
"Stand."
"I can."
Taehyung helped him up.
Jimin tried putting weight on his foot.
He winced.
Taehyung immediately supported him.
"No."
"What?"
"You can't walk."
"I can."
"You're lying."
"I'm fine."
"Jimin."
"Taehyung."
"Don't."
Jimin looked at him.
"You need to go."
Taehyung shook his head.
"No."
"Listen to me."
"No."
"If they catch us-"
"They'll catch both of us."
Jimin grabbed his shoulders.
"Listen."
Taehyung stared.
"I know you."
Jimin's voice softened.
"You'll stay here because you think leaving me is wrong."
Taehyung's eyes filled with emotion.
"Because it is wrong."
Jimin smiled sadly.
"You're impossible."
"Yes."
"There's a cabin."
"What?"
"About two kilometers east."
"How do you know?"
"I researched the area."
Taehyung stared.
"Of course you did."
"Go there."
"With you."
"No."
"Jimin-"
"Go."
Taehyung shook his head violently.
"I'm not leaving you."
"You have to."
"No."
"Taehyung!"
"I said no!"
His voice echoed through the forest.
Then-
A growl answered.
Both froze.
Jimin's eyes widened.
"Taehyung..."
"What?"
"Don't move."
Taehyung slowly turned.
Another growl.
Louder.
Closer.
His blood ran cold.
"What is that?"
Jimin whispered.
"Panther."
Taehyung's face went pale.
"Oh."
The bushes moved.
Two glowing eyes appeared.
Taehyung stepped backward.
The animal emerged.
Black fur.
Massive body.
Silent paws.
Its eyes fixed directly on him.
Taehyung's breathing stopped.
"Jimin..."
"Run."
Taehyung tried.
But his foot slipped.
He stumbled deeper into the forest.
The panther followed.
Taehyung ran.
Branches scratched his face.
His lungs burned.
He didn't look back.
He couldn't.
Until-
His back slammed into something hard.
Rock.
Dead end.
Taehyung slowly turned.
The panther was approaching.
Then-
Something else stood behind him.
A man.
Tall.
Far too tall.
Broad shoulders.
Massive frame.
Black coat.
Wet dark hair.
A face carved from ice.
Taehyung stared upward.
The man looked down.
Their eyes met.
For one terrifying second-
Taehyung forgot the panther.
The stranger's eyes were darker than the night.
Cold.
Possessive.
Predatory.
Taehyung swallowed.
"Please."
The man said nothing.
Taehyung looked toward the panther.
Then back at him.
"Please save me."
Nothing.
"Please!"
The panther growled.
Taehyung stepped toward the stranger.
"I don't know who you are."
Still nothing.
"But please."
The man slowly turned his head.
The panther stopped.
Then-
It walked toward him.
Taehyung's eyes widened.
"What..."
The beast sat beside the man.
Taehyung stared.
The man looked down at him.
Then without warning-
He grabbed Taehyung.
"HEY!"
Taehyung was lifted off the ground.
Thrown over the man's shoulder.
Like he weighed nothing.
"What the FUCK!"
Taehyung began hitting his back.
"PUT ME DOWN!"
The man kept walking.
"YOU HEAR ME?"
Nothing.
"WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?"
Silence.
Taehyung kicked.
The man didn't even stumble.
"LET ME GO!"
Nothing.
Taehyung's fists struck his back.
Again.
Again.
Again.
Still nothing.
The man's body felt like solid stone beneath the coat.
Taehyung's anger grew.
"You fucking psycho!"
The man finally stopped.
Taehyung froze.
Slowly-
The man's head turned.
His dark eyes looked over his shoulder.
Taehyung met them.
There was no anger.
That was worse.
There was something else.
Interest.
Dark amusement.
Possession.
The man turned forward again.
Taehyung's heart pounded.
"Put me down."
No response.
"Please."
Nothing.
Taehyung gritted his teeth.
"I hate you."
The man's lips curved slightly.
But he said nothing.
He continued walking.
The panther followed.
Every step screamed power.
Every movement was controlled.
Taehyung's anger slowly mixed with confusion.
Who was this man?
Why wasn't the animal attacking him?
Why did he seem completely unafraid?
And why-
Why did Taehyung have the strange feeling that this wasn't an accident?
KIM MANSION
The mansion gates opened.
Everyone turned.
The giant man walked through.
Taehyung was still over his shoulder.
His eyes widened.
"No."
Seokjin rushed forward.
"Taehyung!"
Taehyung struggled.
"HYUNG!"
Seokjin stopped.
His eyes moved toward the man.
Then toward the panther.
His face changed.
"Jungkook."
Taehyung froze.
"What?"
Ivan immediately bowed.
"Mr. Jeon."
The man stopped.
Then slowly lowered Taehyung.
Taehyung landed on his feet.
He immediately stepped away.
His tuxedo was ruined.
His hair was a mess.
His chest rose and fell rapidly.
He stared at the man.
Jeon Jungkook.
The man he had spent an entire week trying to escape.
The man whose name had been enough to make everyone in the mansion nervous.
The man who had just carried him through a forest like he was nothing.
Jungkook looked at him.
Slowly.
From his messy hair-
To his furious eyes-
To his trembling hands.
Taehyung lifted his chin.
"You."
Jungkook said nothing.
Ivan stepped forward.
"I'm deeply sorry for my son's behavior."
Taehyung turned.
"Mr. Kim!"
Ivan ignored him.
"He shouldn't have run."
Taehyung stared.
"You brought him here?"
Ivan bowed again.
"Please forgive him."
Jungkook's eyes never left Taehyung.
Ivan continued.
"He is young."
Taehyung scoffed.
"I'm standing right here."
Ivan ignored him.
Jungkook finally spoke.
His voice was low.
Deep.
Calm.
Terrifyingly calm.
"Young?"
Ivan nodded.
Jungkook looked at Taehyung.
"He doesn't look young."
Taehyung's eyes narrowed.
"What exactly are you implying?"
Jungkook's lips curved.
Taehyung stepped forward.
"I don't care who you are."
Seokjin immediately whispered.
"Taehyung..."
"No."
Taehyung kept staring at Jungkook.
"You don't get to drag me around like some piece of luggage."
Jungkook tilted his head.
"You were running."
"So?"
"I stopped you."
"You kidnapped me."
"I saved you."
"I didn't ask you to."
Jungkook's eyes darkened.
"But you did."
Taehyung's brows furrowed.
"When?"
Jungkook stepped closer.
Taehyung didn't move.
"You pleaded."
Taehyung's lips parted.
"I..."
Jungkook stopped directly in front of him.
The height difference was ridiculous.
Taehyung had to tilt his head upward.
Jungkook's presence swallowed the space between them.
His coat smelled faintly of rain.
Cold air.
And a dark, musky cologne.
Taehyung's heartbeat became faster.
He hated that.
Jungkook looked down at him.
His voice dropped.
"You asked me to save you."
Taehyung swallowed.
"That doesn't mean you own me."
Jungkook's expression changed.
A slow smile appeared.
"No."
He leaned closer.
"Not yet."
Taehyung's eyes widened.
"You're insane."
Jungkook's gaze remained fixed on him.
"Perhaps."
Taehyung's chin lifted.
"I'm not afraid of you."
Jungkook's eyes gleamed.
"I know."
Taehyung froze.
Jungkook leaned toward his ear.
His voice became barely more than a whisper.
"I love your fierceness..."
A pause.
His breath brushed against Taehyung's ear.
"...Little Rebel."
Taehyung's entire body went still.
He slowly looked at him.
Jungkook was already stepping away.
The black panther sat beside him.
Watching.
Waiting.
And for the first time that night-
Taehyung understood something.
Running away from Jeon Jungkook...
Had never been the end of the story.
It had been the beginning...
LOVE YOU ALL..HAPPY READING 📚✨️
