Taehyung's POV

Walking out of the mansion, I opened the car door and slipped inside, my only thought being to find my mate.

"Why the fuck did I do that? What must he have thought of me? I waited more than 100 years for him, and what did I do? I walked away like a coward!"

Frustration boiled within me as I drove through the quiet streets. The moon cast a cold light on the city, mocking me for my failure.

"Are you really heading to the café?" V's voice echoed in my mind, laced with exasperation.

"Yes, why?"I asked, gripping the wheel tightly.

"Taehyung, are you insane? It's late at night. No café is open at this hour."

The realization hit me like a slap. Of course, he wouldn't still be there. My mate was human; he would have returned to his apartment by now.

"V, he'll be at the human apartments," I muttered, taking a sharp turn.

I couldn't help the small smile that crept onto my lips as I drove. After centuries of waiting, I was finally going to him. Should I bring something? Flowers? No, I'd get him flowers tomorrow.

 Snacks? Yes, I'd bring him snacks.

Spotting a convenience store, I parked the car and stepped out. The moment I opened the door, the faint scent of lavender hit me. My mate. He'd been here recently.

My heart began to race, a sense of dread creeping in. What was he doing outside at this hour? As I left the store, I heard it—a cry for help.

"Stop!"

Fear clawed at me as I broke into a sprint, following the voice. It grew louder, more desperate, until I finally saw him.

My mate.

The sight of my mate struggling in the arms of another sent a firestorm of rage coursing through me. His tear-streaked face, the desperation in his movements, and the filthy hands of that man gripping him—touching him—ignited something primal.

I growled, a deep, guttural sound that tore through the silence of the night. My vision blurred with red as V surged forward, taking control. I didn't try to stop him.

In a split second, I closed the distance between us and yanked the man off Jungkook with enough force to send him crashing into the nearby wall. He groaned in pain, but I didn't give him a moment to recover.

"How dare you touch him!" I snarled, my voice reverberating like thunder.

I landed the first punch, square against his jaw, hearing the satisfying crack of bone beneath my fist. His head snapped back, but I didn't stop. My knuckles connected with his face again, this time breaking his nose. Blood splattered everywhere, the metallic scent mixing with my mate's faint lavender aroma.

"You laid your filthy hands on my mate!" I roared, delivering a vicious blow to his gut. He doubled over, wheezing and gasping for air, but I didn't care.

I grabbed him by the collar and slammed him into the ground, the impact shaking the very earth beneath us. His eyes widened in fear as he scrambled to crawl away, but I wasn't finished. "You dared to hurt him. To make him cry. Now, you'll pay the price."

I punched him again, harder this time, feeling the bones in his face give way. He whimpered, a pathetic sound, but it only fueled my rage. V demanded more.

"V—stop!" I heard my own voice faintly in the background, but I couldn't rein him in. The beast inside me roared with unbridled fury, and before I realized it, V had seized full control.

Claws extended, sharper than steel, and in one swift motion, I slashed across his chest, tearing through flesh like paper. His screams echoed through the night, but they only lasted a moment. I ripped him apart, limb by limb, leaving nothing but bloodied remains. The scent of death lingered in the air as V finally let out a satisfied growl, his bloodlust momentarily quenched.

When I turned back, my mate was lying on the cold ground, unconscious, his delicate frame trembling even in sleep. My rage vanished instantly, replaced by an overwhelming wave of panic and guilt.

I rushed to him, kneeling beside his fragile form. "Bun... baby, wake up. You're okay," I murmured, my voice breaking as I gently patted his pale cheeks.

I lifted him carefully into my arms, holding him close as I inhaled his calming lavender scent, grounding myself. "You're safe now, my mate. No one will ever hurt you again."

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Author's POV

The black car screeched to a halt in front of the grand mansion, its tires grinding against the gravel. Taehyung stepped out, carrying Jungkook's limp form in his arms. His face was a mask of cold indifference, but the blood on his clothes and hands told a story of chaos and fury.

As he approached the entrance, the heavy oak doors swung open, revealing the rest of the household waiting in anticipation. The moment their eyes landed on Taehyung and the unconscious boy in his arms, silence blanketed the room.

"Taehyung, what happened?" Jin's voice was the first to break the tension, worry etched across his face.

The others stepped closer, concern flickering in their expressions.

"Is he... your mate?" Jimin asked hesitantly, his gaze darting between Taehyung's blood-streaked face and the fragile boy in his arms.

Taehyung didn't answer immediately. His jaw tightened as he walked past them, his footsteps echoing on the polished marble floors.

"Tae, talk to us! What happened to him?" Yoongi pressed, moving to block his path.

Taehyung stopped, his piercing gaze cutting through the room like a blade. "He's fine. I'll explain later." His voice was low but firm, leaving no room for argument.

Jin's eyes widened  when he finally recognised the boy. "That's Jungkook... isn't it?" he murmured, a tremor of disbelief in his tone. "Taehyung, please tell me—what happened to him?"

Taehyung's eyes flicked to Jin briefly before he spoke again. "Later," he repeated curtly, shifting Jungkook's weight in his arms. Without another word, he climbed the staircase, his figure disappearing into the dimly lit corridor.

The others exchanged uneasy glances but respected his silence, knowing better than to push him when he was like this.

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Taehyung's POV

The moment I entered my room, I carefully laid Jungkook on the bed, his small frame looking even more delicate against the oversized blankets. For a moment, I just stood there, staring at him. His chest rose and fell steadily, but the faint tear tracks on his cheeks made my heart clench.

I reached out instinctively to brush his face, only to pause when I noticed my hands—stained with blood, the remnants of that filthy man who dared to touch him.

"I won't let my hands carry his taint to you," I muttered, pulling back. Turning swiftly, I headed to the bathroom.

The scalding water ran over my hands as I scrubbed them clean, the crimson swirling down the drain. I took my time, ensuring no trace of that man was left on me before changing into clean clothes. Only then did I return to my mate.

Sitting beside him, I reached out and finally allowed my fingers to graze his cheek. His skin was soft, warm, a stark contrast to the cold, lifeless world I'd endured before meeting him.

"You're safe now," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "No one will ever hurt you again. I'll make sure of it."

I leaned down and pressed a feather-light kiss to his forehead, letting my lips linger as I took in his scent.

"You're mine, Jungkook. Mine to protect, mine to love. And anyone who tries to harm you will regret it."

For a moment, I stayed there, my head resting against his, letting his steady heartbeat calm my turbulent emotions.

"Sleep well, bun," I murmured, tucking the blanket securely around him. "I'll be right here for you."

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