Author's POV

Jungkook lay wide awake, his eyes red and swollen from hours of crying. The weight of rejection sat heavily on his chest, suffocating and relentless. No matter how hard he tried, the ache wouldn't go away—the feeling of being unwanted, unloved.

Even as the night deepened, sleep eluded him. His thoughts churned endlessly, dragging him into a dark abyss. Finally, unable to bear the suffocating silence of his apartment any longer, Jungkook decided he needed air.

He rarely ventured out at night, not since coming to Lunar. Jin had warned him countless times about the dangers of stepping outside after dark, but tonight, Jungkook didn't care. Consequences be damned—he just needed to breathe.

Jungkook's POV

After what felt like hours of arguing with myself, I pulled on a hoodie and a pair of jeans. The fabric felt heavy against my skin, but it didn't matter. With hesitant steps, I left the safety of my apartment and stepped into the cool night air.

The streets were eerily quiet, the moonlight casting long shadows across the empty roads. I walked aimlessly, my thoughts swirling around everything that had happened—my mate, the rejection, my life.

I didn't know how far I had gone or how long I had been walking when a faint neon glow caught my attention. A small convenience store stood at the corner, its flickering sign illuminating the street.

Needing a distraction, I stepped inside.

The ajussi behind the counter gave me a polite nod, and I returned the gesture before heading toward the snack aisle. Grabbing a bag of chips and a packet of Nana milk, I felt a faint smile tug at my lips.

"Even if I don't have anyone, I still have my Nana milk," I muttered to myself, trying to find comfort in the small things.

I paid for my items and stepped back onto the empty street. The air felt colder now, the silence heavier.

As I walked back toward my apartment, a strange unease settled over me. It was subtle at first, like the faint prickling of the skin on the back of my neck. But soon, I couldn't shake the feeling that someone was following me.

I glanced over my shoulder and froze.

A man was walking a few steps behind me, his movements deliberate, his eyes fixed on me. When our eyes met, he gave me a chilling smile that made my blood run cold.

My heart pounded as fear coursed through my veins. I quickened my pace, clutching the Nana milk to my chest like it was my lifeline.

The sound of hurried footsteps behind me only made me panic more. The man was closing in. The streets were deserted, the houses dark. No one was awake to help me. My breaths came in short gasps as I started to run, my legs moving as fast as they could.

But it wasn't fast enough.

 Before I could react, a strong hand grabbed my wrist, yanking me back so forcefully that I nearly dropped the milk.

"Leave me!" I cried, trying to twist out of his grip. His hand was like iron, unyielding.

The man leaned closer, his breath hot and reeking of alcohol. "Where are you running, little one? No one's here to help you," he sneered.

I pulled and tugged, but his hold only tightened, making my wrist throb. Tears filled my eyes as fear coursed through me.

"Please let me go," I begged, my voice breaking. "It hurts!"

His smirk widened, and his free hand reached out, brushing against my cheek before sliding down my arm. I flinched, the touch sending a wave of nausea through me.

"You're so soft," he muttered, his voice low and predatory. "So perfect. I've never seen someone like you, so you are a special human"

I struggled harder, my breaths coming in ragged gasps. But his grip only grew more aggressive. His hand wandered lower, sliding to my waist and then—

"Stop!" I screamed, twisting violently.

He laughed, a dark, guttural sound that made my skin crawl. His hand moved to my hip, squeezing hard, and then lower, brushing over a place that made me freeze in sheer terror.

"Such a nice little body," he murmured. "I'm going to enjoy this."

I shook my head violently, tears streaming down my face. "Don't touch me! Please, stop!"

But he ignored me. His fingers pressed against my Booty, rough and invasive, sending shockwaves of discomfort and fear through my body. Every touch burned, leaving an imprint of his vile intentions.

He leaned closer, his lips curling into a wicked grin. "Oh, you'll beg for me soon enough," he whispered.

Something inside me snapped. Fueled by desperation, I thrashed wildly, screaming and clawing at him. But he was too strong, his hands pinning me in place as he laughed at my futile attempts to escape.

"Keep fighting, little one. I like it when you struggle."

I sobbed harder, my body trembling as I tried to push him away. But my strength was fading.

And just when I thought all hope was lost—

 The man was suddenly ripped away from me.

I stumbled, my legs giving out beneath me as I collapsed onto the ground. My vision blurred with tears and exhaustion, black dots dancing before my eyes.

Through the haze, I saw someone towering over the man who had attacked me. Fists rained down in a flurry of rage, each punch more brutal than the last.

I blinked, struggling to focus. Even in the dim light, I recognized him.

The scent hit me first—coconut and chocolate, warm and familiar.

"Mate."

The word escaped my lips in a whisper as my vision faded, and darkness consumed me.

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