The clock ticked softly in the corner of Taehyung's home office as he leaned back in his chair, reviewing the slides projected on his laptop. A king and a CEO—his days were often a delicate balance between ruling his pack and overseeing Vantae, his thriving global fashion empire.

Today, his responsibilities were firmly rooted in the pack. Meetings regarding the recent territorial disputes and resources consumed most of his energy. Tomorrow, however, he planned to return to the Vantae headquarters to address delayed projects and upcoming fashion launches.

"Taehyung, the financial reports for the west sector have been finalized," Namjoon's voice echoed over the intercom. "Shall I send them over for review?"

"Email them," Taehyung replied smoothly, his voice as calm as ever.

With a soft sigh, he stretched his long legs under the mahogany desk, already feeling the weight of the day. Despite being a feared and respected leader, there were moments when even a king craved peace. But peace was a rarity, especially now.

A soft knock interrupted his thoughts. Taehyung didn't bother to glance at the door. "Come in," he commanded.

Minji entered, her movements calculated and deliberate. She carried a tray with a steaming cup of tea, her lips curving into a coy smile.

"Your Majesty," she greeted softly, her tone dripping with a mix of shyness and an attempt at seduction. "I thought you might need a break."

Without sparing her a glance, Taehyung gestured to the desk. "Leave it there."

Her face faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered, placing the tea on the table. Instead of leaving, she lingered, stepping closer to him.

"You work so hard, Your Majesty," she began, her voice almost a purr. "Perhaps you need someone to... lighten your load."

Taehyung finally looked up, his piercing gaze locking onto hers. The room's atmosphere shifted, the air growing colder.

"I'm capable of handling my responsibilities," he said curtly, standing and walking toward the window, his phone in hand.

Minji's smile stiffened as she stood awkwardly by the desk. The sharp dismissal stung, but she wasn't ready to give up yet.

"Your Majesty, I was only trying to—"

"Leave," Taehyung cut her off, his tone icy and final.

Minji's eyes flashed with anger, but she bowed her head and turned to leave. Just as she reached the door, Taehyung spoke again, his voice calm but laced with warning.

"You're Minji, correct?"

She froze, a spark of hope lighting in her chest as she turned around. "Yes, Your Majesty," she said, her voice sweeter now.

"I heard you were the last person to speak to my mate before he left that day," Taehyung said, his tone deceptively casual as he adjusted his tshirt.

Minji's face paled. "I-I didn't say anything, Your Majesty," she stammered.

"Good." He stepped closer, his towering presence making the room feel smaller. "Because if I find out otherwise, you'll regret it."

Her throat went dry as she nodded hastily. "Of course not, Your Majesty."

Taehyung watched as she hurried out of the room, his sharp gaze lingering on the closed door. He returned to his desk, his mind already moving to the next task.

But for a brief moment, a smirk played on his lips. Let her try something. No one touched what was his.

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The golden hues of the setting sun painted the garden in a warm glow. Jungkook sat cross-legged on the soft grass, his bunny plushie tucked under one arm and a half-empty banana milk in the other. His face was serene, but his lips curved into a small pout, the loss of his beloved pets still weighing on him.

Jimin spotted him from the mansion's patio, his sharp eyes immediately zeroing in on the pout. With a mischievous grin, he strolled over and plopped down beside the bunny boy, making sure to ruffle his hair for good measure.

"Kookie!" Jimin chirped. "What's with the long face? You look like someone stole your last bottle of banana milk."

Jungkook turned to him with wide doe eyes, the straw of his banana milk still between his lips. "Minnie hyungie," he mumbled, voice muffled by the straw. "I was just... thinking."

"Thinking? That's dangerous for someone as cute as you," Jimin teased, nudging him playfully.

Jungkook giggled but quickly pouted again. "I miss my crabbies."

Jimin's laughter bubbled up uncontrollably. "Your crabbies?" He clutched his stomach. "Kookie, you're killing me! Who even calls crabs that?"

"They were cute!" Jungkook protested, his cheeks puffing in indignation. "I was going to teach them tricks!"

"Like what?" Jimin asked, wiping tears of laughter from his eyes. "Balancing a banana milk bottle on their claws?"

"Exactly!" Jungkook said, completely serious. "They could've learned if I had time!"

Jimin stared at him, momentarily speechless before bursting into another fit of laughter. "Oh, Kookie, you're something else."

Jungkook pouted harder, crossing his arms. "You're mean, Minnie hyungie."

"Alright, alright," Jimin said, wrapping an arm around Jungkook's shoulder. "I'm sorry. So, what are you planning to do now? Everyone's going back to work soon. You'll be all alone during the day."

The thought made Jungkook's lips tremble. "I don't want to be lonely."

Jimin cooed at the sight. "Don't worry, we'll figure something out. Maybe you could help around the pack, or—ooh! You could even join Vantae !"

Jungkook's eyes lit up momentarily before dimming again. "But... I'll miss Tae hyungie."

Jimin smirked. "Speaking of your Tae hyungie, when are you planning to let him mark you and mate?"

Jungkook's doe eyes grew impossibly wider. "Mark me? Like the one on your neck?"

"Exactly," Jimin said, leaning in conspiratorially.

"Doesn't it hurt?" Jungkook asked, tilting his head.

"Maybe a little," Jimin admitted, "but after that, it's nothing but pleasure."

Jungkook's innocent brain completely missed the implication. "Hyungie, is it like vampires? Does he have to bite me? Will I turn into a wolfie too?"

Jimin couldn't contain his laughter. "Oh, Kookie, no. You'll still be a human, but it means you'll be Tae's forever. No one else will ever come between you two."

The thought of being Taehyung's forever turned Jungkook's cheeks a bright pink. He shyly hid his face behind his bunny plushie.

"Oh, someone's blushing!" Jimin teased, poking at Jungkook's side.

Jungkook giggled nervously, but his curiosity got the better of him. "Hyungie... what's mating?"

Jimin froze for a moment before a devilish smirk spread across his face. "Why don't you ask Tae hyungie? He'd explain it better than me."

Jungkook nodded enthusiastically. "That's a good idea! I'll ask him now!"

Before Jimin could stop him, the bunny boy was already hopping toward the mansion.

Jimin smirked to himself. "God bless you, Taehyungie. Handle that curious, innocent bunny." He burst out laughing, already imagining the chaos about to unfold.

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Taehyung was immersed in a critical financial report, his focus razor-sharp as he tapped away on his laptop. The knock on the door made him pause, his brows furrowing.

"Come in," he called out, his voice tinged with mild annoyance.

The door creaked open, and a familiar fluffy head peeked in. Jungkook stood there with his plushie in one hand and a wide, curious smile on his face.

Taehyung's expression softened immediately. "Kookie, you don't need to knock. Just come in whenever you want."

Jungkook's eyes lit up at the permission. Without a second thought, he hopped—yes, hopped—straight to Taehyung, plopping himself down on the top of desk in front of him.

"Tae hyungie!" he chirped. "I have a question!"

Taehyung raised a brow, setting his laptop aside. "What is it, bun?"

Jungkook tilted his head adorably. "What's mating?"

The pen in Taehyung's hand slipped, clattering onto the floor. He stared at his mate, completely taken off guard.

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