The apartment was silent except for the occasional sound of Jungkook's soft sniffles. The bunny boy sat by the window, his knees pulled to his chest, staring at the glowing full moon in the dark sky. The silver light bathed him, but it couldn't warm the cold emptiness he felt inside. His usually bright doe eyes were red and puffy from days of crying, his body weaker from barely eating.

Two days. It had been two days since he'd left the mansion, two days since he decided to give up on the life he thought could bring him love and happiness. Yeonjun, his only solace, visited daily, trying to console him, but even his presence couldn't heal the deep wound in Jungkook's heart.

A tear rolled down his cheek as he whispered to the moon, "Why, God? Why did you bring me here, only to break me again? I never asked for this life. I never asked for a mate. I was fine... I was fine on Earth, alone but without expectations. But you made me hope. You made me dream of love. And now, you've shattered me."

He choked back a sob, but the tears kept falling. "Was it so much to ask for someone to love me? For my mate to want me? You gave me everything I never dared to wish for, only to snatch it away. Do you hate me so much?"

The sobs racked his small frame, his tears falling harder. "My parents didn't want me, either. They abandoned me like I was nothing, like I didn't matter. And now... now my mate has done the same. Was it too much to ask to be loved? Just once? By someone... anyone?"

Jungkook's voice dropped to a trembling whisper, barely audible. "Am I so unlovable, Goddess? Am I too ugly? Too broken? Why do you let me live, only to keep breaking me? Why didn't you just let me die long ago? At least then, I wouldn't have to feel this pain."

The full moon blurred through his tears, its light mocking him. Jungkook pressed his forehead against the cold windowpane, his heart heavy with despair.

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In the forest, under the same full moon, Taehyung stood tall, his sharp features softened by the silver light. Unlike Jungkook, his heart was filled with anticipation. The mission was over. The rogues had been Killed, and the villagers were safe. Tomorrow, he would return home. Tomorrow, he would see his mate.

"Finally," Taehyung whispered, his deep voice almost a growl. His lips curled into a small smile as he gazed at the moon. "Finally, the wait is over. I'm coming back to you, my bun."

A figure plopped down beside him, pulling him from his thoughts.

"Oh, look, Yoongi-hyung, someone's so happy tonight," J-Hope teased, nudging Taehyung's shoulder.

Namjoon smirked, joining in. "It's rare to see him smile like that. The king must be eager to get back home."

Yoongi, ever calm, raised a brow and said, "It's written all over his face. He's practically glowing."

Taehyung's lips immediately returned to their stoic line, though his eyes betrayed his inner joy. "What are you talking about?" he grumbled, trying to maintain his usual aloof demeanor.

Namjoon chuckled, leaning against a tree. "Come on, Taehyung. We all know you can't wait to see him. You're practically howling at the moon right now."

"I don't howl," Taehyung shot back, his deep voice firm, but the faint blush on his ears didn't go unnoticed.

Yoongi smirked. "Sure, you don't."

Taehyung turned his gaze back to the moon, tuning out their laughter.  His lips curved into the faintest smile, one that betrayed the stoic mask he wore. Finally, he thought, the full moon is here. The cycle that kept him distant from his mate was over. Now, there was nothing holding him back.

"I don't have to stay away anymore," he whispered softly, the words carrying a promise only he could hear. His heart stirred with anticipation as he imagined holding his mate close, inhaling the sweet scent that had become his solace .

Tomorrow couldn't come soon enough.

Tomorrow, I'll hold you again, my bun. I'll make things right.

-------------------------

By the next morning, the royal convoy returned to the mansion. The scent of home filled the air as the alphas and soldiers were welcomed with open arms. Jin and Jimin were at the forefront, embracing Namjoon and Yoongi warmly. The atmosphere was light and joyful, but Taehyung's sharp eyes scanned the crowd.

His heart sank when he didn't see the familiar doe eyes or soft smile of his mate. He frowned but brushed it off, deciding to freshen up first. Surely, Jungkook was just in his room.

Hours later, Taehyung woke from an unintended nap. The exhaustion from the mission had caught up with him, but now, as the evening sun dipped below the horizon, a sense of urgency filled him. He quickly washed up and headed to the room he knew as his mate's.

Empty.

His frown deepened as he checked the other rooms, calling out softly, "Bun?"

Still nothing.

A heavy feeling settled in his chest as he strode into the garden, where he found Jin and Jimin sitting with Namjoon and Yoongi.

"Where is Jungkook?" Taehyung asked, his tone calm but firm.

The playful chatter stopped. Jin and Jimin froze, their eyes darting to each other nervously.

Taehyung's sharp eyes caught their unease immediately. His voice dropped an octave. "Where. Is. My. Mate?"

Jimin bit his lip, avoiding Taehyung's intense gaze. Jin, ever the eldest and the diplomat, sighed and stood.

"Taehyung," Jin began carefully, "maybe we should sit down and talk—"

"I don't want to sit. I want to know where Jungkook is. Now," Taehyung demanded, his voice dangerously low.

The air grew tense as the truth loomed like a shadow over the garden. Jin and Jimin exchanged another hesitant glance, knowing they couldn't delay any longer.

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