The heavy silence of the mansion was shattered by the sound of hurried footsteps and urgent voices as the doctor arrived with a team of nurses. The air was thick with panic, and every second felt like an eternity to Taehyung, who knelt by Jungkook's unconscious form.

"Your Majesty, what happened?" the doctor asked, her voice professional yet laced with concern as she crouched by Jungkook.

"He drank something—mixed juice," Namjoon quickly explained, his voice tight. "And then he started sweating and struggling to breathe. Now, he's... he's not responding!"

The doctor's sharp eyes took in the scene. "We need to get him to a proper room immediately. Somewhere clean and quiet. Your Majesty, can you carry him?"

Taehyung didn't need to be asked twice. He scooped Jungkook into his arms with a gentleness that contrasted the urgency in his movements. Jungkook's head lolled against Taehyung's shoulder, his pale face nearly blending with the white fabric of Taehyung's shirt.

"This way!" Jimin called, leading the group to the nearest guest room.

The room was quickly transformed into an impromptu medical setup. The nurses moved with precision, laying out equipment and setting up an IV drip. One of them quickly opened the windows to let in fresh air, while another adjusted the lighting to a softer hue.

"Your Majesty, lay him down here," the doctor instructed, patting the freshly prepared bed.

Taehyung hesitated for a split second before carefully placing Jungkook on the bed, his hands lingering on his mate's shoulders. The sight of Jungkook lying so still sent a fresh wave of panic through him.

The doctor immediately began checking Jungkook's vitals, her brow furrowing as she listened to his faint, erratic heartbeat. "His pulse is weak. Breathing shallow. We need to stabilize him now."

"Your Majesty, we'll take it from here," the doctor said firmly, glancing up at Taehyung.

"No," Taehyung growled, his voice low and trembling. "I'm not leaving him."

"Taehyung," Namjoon stepped forward, his voice gentle yet firm. "You're not helping him by staying here. Let them do their work."

"Don't you dare ask me to leave him!" Taehyung snapped, his golden eyes flashing as he turned to face Namjoon. "He's my mate!"

"Tae" Jimin whispered, placing a hand on Taehyung's arm. "Please. Jungkook needs you to be strong. Let the doctors do what they need to do."

Taehyung looked back at Jungkook, his chest rising and falling faintly, his face still unnaturally pale. With a trembling breath, he leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to Jungkook's forehead.

"Stay with me, Bun," he whispered, his voice cracking. "I'll be right outside."

With great reluctance, he allowed Namjoon and Yoongi to guide him out of the room, the door shutting softly behind them.

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

The hallway outside the room was a heavy storm of emotions, each person fighting their own battle with fear and helplessness. Taehyung sat slumped against the wall, his hands gripping his hair tightly as if trying to hold himself together. His golden eyes, once filled with strength and confidence, now brimmed with unshed tears.

Jimin was pacing frantically, his steps erratic as he chewed on his nails. "Why isn't there any news yet? It's been too long!" he exclaimed, his voice cracking.

"Calm down, Jimin," Yoongi said quietly, though his clenched jaw betrayed his own anxiety. He leaned against the wall, arms crossed, but his usual stoic demeanor was shattered by the occasional bounce of his leg.

Hoseok paced the hallway, his usual sunny demeanor replaced with restless energy. "Why is this happening? He was fine just a moment ago!"

Hoseok sat on the floor next to Namjoon, his head in his hands. "He's just a kid... He doesn't deserve this. What did he ever do to anyone?"

Namjoon, ever the steady pillar of the group, struggled to maintain his composure. He rested his head against the wall and whispered a silent prayer to the Moon Goddess. "Please... if there's any mercy in you, spare him."

A sudden commotion at the mansion's entrance drew everyone's attention. Amy burst through the doors, her face pale and filled with worry.

"What happened?!" she demanded, rushing toward them. Her usually calm and collected demeanor was replaced with panic as her eyes scanned the room. "Jungkook—what's wrong with him?"

Namjoon stood to meet her. "He drank something... it had poison in it. The doctor is with him now."

Amy's hand flew to her mouth, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Poison? Who would...?" She trailed off, her mind racing. "Where's Taehyung?"

Everyone's eyes turned to the true blood, who was still on the floor, looking like a shadow of himself. Amy walked over and crouched beside him, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"Taehyung," she said softly. "He's going to be okay. He has you."

Taehyung's head snapped up, his golden eyes meeting hers. "I can't lose him, Amy," he whispered, his voice breaking. "He's my everything. I—" His words were cut off by a choked sob as he buried his face in his hands again.

"I can't lose him," Taehyung choked out, his voice muffled. "Not him. He's everything to me."

Amy's own eyes filled with tears, but she nodded firmly. "Then fight for him, Taehyung. Don't give up on him."

Namjoon leaned against the opposite wall, his arms crossed tightly over his chest as he muttered prayers under his breath. "The Moon Goddess wouldn't be so cruel... she can't take him away."

Minutes felt like hours as the group waited for any news. Every sound from the room made their hearts jump.

Jimin finally collapsed onto the floor beside jin, leaning his head against his shoulder. "What if... what if he doesn't make it?" he whispered, his voice trembling.

"Don't say that!" jin snapped, his voice sharp but filled with fear. "He's going to be fine. He has to be."

Yoongi, who had been silent for a long time, finally spoke up. "We need to figure out how this happened. Poison doesn't just end up in juice by accident." His voice was calm, but there was an edge of fury to it.

Namjoon nodded. "You're right. But first, we need to make sure Jungkook survives this."

Taehyung suddenly stood up, his movements sharp and abrupt. His chest rose and fell with heavy breaths as he stared at the door to the room.

"This is my fault," he muttered, his voice barely audible.

"Tae, no—" Namjoon started, but Taehyung cut him off.

"It is!" he yelled, his voice echoing through the hallway. "I was supposed to protect him. He's my mate, and I couldn't even keep him safe in my own home!"

Jin stepped forward, placing a firm hand on his chest. "Taehyung, listen to me. This isn't your fault. Whoever did this will pay, but right now, Jungkook needs you to be strong. He needs you."

Taehyung stared at him for a moment before his shoulders sagged. He leaned against the wall, sliding down until he was sitting again. "I begged the Moon Goddess to give me a mate for years... and she gave me him. Why would she take him away now?"

"Why?" Taehyung choked out, his voice filled with despair. "Why did she give him to me, just to take him away like this?"

He lifted his tear-streaked face to the sky, his golden eyes shimmering with anguish. "Moon Goddess! If you can hear me, please... don't take him away. I'll do anything, anything you ask, just save him!"

The tension in the hallway was suddenly broken by a loud beeping sound from the room. Everyone froze, their breaths caught in their throats.

"What's happening?" Jimin whispered, his eyes wide with fear.

Before anyone could answer, the door to the room opened, and the doctor stepped out. Her face was grim, her expression heavy.

The doctor stood before them, her face solemn and voice steady, though the weight of her words trembled in the air.

"The poison in Jungkook's system is attacking his body aggressively," she began, glancing around the tense, grief-stricken faces. "His heart is struggling to pump blood, his oxygen levels are dropping, and his body is shutting down to conserve energy. If we don't act now, the outcome..." She hesitated. "It won't be favorable."

Taehyung stepped forward, his entire body taut with tension. "Then what do we do? Tell me how to save him!"

The doctor hesitated before continuing. "There is one option, but it's unconventional and carries its own risks." She looked directly at Taehyung. "Mark him. A mate's mark is more than just a bond—it infuses strength into the one marked, strengthens their body, and fortifies their spirit. It's a life force exchange, powered by the bond between you two. In Jungkook's weakened state, it might stabilize him long enough for us to treat the poison."

Taehyung's breath hitched. His hands clenched into fists at his sides as her words sank in.

"But marking isn't just a physical act," she added. "It's a sacred connection. His body may respond positively to the bond, but only if he fully accepts you as his mate in his heart and soul. There's no guarantee it will work."

The room fell into a thick silence. Namjoon broke it. "And if it doesn't work?"

The doctor looked down. "Then... we lose him."

Taehyung's knees felt weak as the doctor's words reverberated in his mind. He had dreamed of marking Jungkook for weeks, but he had always imagined it to be a joyous moment—an act of love and commitment, shared in their own time, in their own way.

Not like this.

Not when his mate was lying lifeless on a bed, pale and fragile, barely holding onto life.

Jin placed a comforting hand on Taehyung's shoulder. "Tae, you can do this. If it means saving him, it's worth it."

Jimin spoke next, his voice trembling. "He loves you, Tae. You're his whole world. If anyone can bring him back, it's you."

Taehyung nodded slowly, determination hardening his expression. "I don't care how it happens. I'll do whatever it takes to save him."

Taehyung stepped into the room, closing the door softly behind him. The sight of Jungkook lying still on the bed, his chest barely rising and falling, nearly broke him.

His precious bun. His mate. His everything.

The pale moonlight filtered through the curtains, bathing Jungkook's face in an ethereal glow. Taehyung sat beside him, gently brushing a stray strand of hair from his forehead.

"You can't leave me," Taehyung whispered, his voice trembling. "You promised to stay with me, remember? You said you'd always be my baby bun."

He leaned closer, pressing a tender kiss to Jungkook's temple. "I wanted this to be special. I wanted to show you how much you mean to me. But I can't lose you. Not now. Not ever."

His wolf, V, growled softly in agreement, urging him forward. The bond was calling—demanding action.

Taehyung tilted Jungkook's head gently to the side, exposing the delicate curve of his neck. His lips hovered over the spot where the bond mark would form, his breath warm against Jungkook's cool skin.

"I love you, Bun," he murmured, his voice breaking. "Please, forgive me for doing this like this. I just... I need you to stay with me."

With one final prayer to the Moon Goddess, Taehyung's fangs elongated, and he bit down gently but firmly.

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