The sun was setting, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, as Taehyung reluctantly prepared to leave the mansion. His heart felt heavy at the thought of being away from Jungkook, even for an hour. But as the Alpha of the pack, certain matters required his presence.

He stood at the edge of the bed, brushing a strand of hair from Jungkook's pale face. Leaning down, he placed a soft kiss on his mate's forehead. "Bun, I'll be back soon, okay? Jin hyung will take care of you while I'm gone," he whispered.

Taehyung turned to Jin, who stood by the door. "Hyung, please check on him frequently. I'll return as soon as I can."

"Don't worry, Tae. I'll keep an eye on him," Jin assured him, though the worry in his own eyes mirrored Taehyung's.

Taehyung took one last glance at Jungkook before walking out, his wolf growling in protest.

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

Jin had checked on Jungkook six times already in the past hour. He couldn't help it—his maternal instincts wouldn't let him sit still. Each time, he peeked into the room, adjusting the blanket, brushing Jungkook's hair back, or simply standing by his bedside to ensure everything was okay. Taehyung's words about watching over Jungkook echoed in his mind.

As he walked toward the room for the seventh time, Jin muttered to himself, "I'm like a nervous hen. But it's better to be sure."

He opened the door quietly, expecting the same peaceful yet heart-wrenching stillness. Instead, a faint groan broke the silence. Jin froze mid-step.

His eyes widened when he saw Jungkook's fingers twitch, his head shifting slightly on the pillow. Jin's breath hitched, and he rushed forward. "Jungkook? Bunny, can you hear me?" he called, his voice trembling.

Jungkook's eyelids fluttered, and after what felt like an eternity, they cracked open to reveal his hazy, tired eyes.

"Hyung?" Jungkook croaked, his voice weak and barely audible.

Jin gasped, tears instantly welling up in his eyes. He cupped Jungkook's face, careful not to overwhelm him. "Oh my God, you're awake! Jungkook, do you know how worried we all were? Are you okay? Can you speak? Do you feel pain?"

Jungkook blinked slowly, his dry lips moving faintly. "Water..." he whispered.

"Water! Of course!" Jin said, his voice quivering with relief. He gently laid Jungkook back down and stood. "Stay right here, I'll get you water. I also need to tell everyone! Oh, Taehyung is going to lose his mind!"

Jin bolted out of the room like a man on a mission. His feet barely touched the ground as he raced down the hall and descended the stairs. His loud footsteps caught the attention of Jimin, Namjoon, and Hoseok, who were seated in the living room.

Jimin was the first to notice Jin's flushed face and wide eyes. He stood abruptly. "Hyung, what's wrong? Is it Jungkook?"

Jin stopped at the bottom of the stairs, clutching his knees as he struggled to catch his breath. "Yes... Jungkook..."

Namjoon stepped forward, his voice tense with worry. "What happened? Is he—"

"He's awake!" Jin exclaimed, cutting him off. "Jungkook woke up!"

For a moment, silence hung in the air as the words sank in. Then, chaos erupted.

"He's what?!" Hoseok yelled, his voice a mix of disbelief and excitement.

"Are you serious, hyung? He's really awake?" Jimin asked, his voice trembling with hope.

"Yes, yes! I just saw him! He's awake and groaning and asked for water!" Jin said, his face breaking into a radiant smile.

Just then, the front door opened, and Taehyung walked in, his sharp eyes immediately landing on Jin. His wolf was already restless, and seeing Jin's flushed state made his heart race with dread.

"Hyung, what happened? Is it Jungkook? Tell me!" Taehyung demanded, striding forward.

Jin grabbed Taehyung by the shoulders, his eyes shining with tears of joy. "Taehyung, he's awake! Jungkook's awake!"

For a second, Taehyung stood frozen, his mind struggling to process the words. Then, his body moved on its own, sprinting up the stairs two at a time. Namjoon, Hoseok, and Jimin followed close behind, their excitement and relief palpable.

As Taehyung burst into the room, his heart nearly stopped at the sight before him. Jungkook was sitting up weakly in the bed, his pale face framed by messy, sweat-dampened hair. His doe eyes were heavy with exhaustion but open—alive. A tired, faint smile tugged at his lips as he looked at Taehyung.

"Hyungie..." Jungkook's voice was raspy, barely above a whisper, but it was enough to shatter Taehyung's composure.

"Bun!" Taehyung's voice cracked as he rushed to the bed, falling to his knees beside it. He cupped Jungkook's face with trembling hands, his tears flowing freely. "You're awake... You're really awake..."

The others—Jin, Namjoon, Hoseok, and Jimin—pushed their way into the room, their collective relief palpable as they saw Jungkook.

"Jungkook-ah!" Jimin cried, his hands flying to his mouth as his eyes brimmed with tears.

"You scared us, you brat," Hoseok said, his voice thick with emotion. He tried to sound stern, but the tears falling down his cheeks betrayed him.

Namjoon placed a steadying hand on the bed frame, his sharp gaze softening as he took in the sight of Jungkook alive and awake. "You've got no idea how worried we all were," he said, his deep voice laced with relief.

"Seriously, Bunny, don't pull something like this ever again," Jin chided gently, though his watery smile and red-rimmed eyes softened the impact of his words.

Jungkook blinked at them, his tired smile growing slightly as he took in the familiar faces of his Hyungs. "I'm okay," he croaked.

"Okay?" Taehyung repeated, his voice incredulous as he gently brushed Jungkook's hair away from his face. "You call scaring us all half to death and lying unconscious for days 'okay'?!"

Jungkook blinked, surprised by Taehyung's tone, and the others exchanged knowing glances.

Hoseok stepped forward, patting Taehyung's shoulder. "Calm down, Tae. He just woke up."

Jimin chuckled softly, his voice breaking. "Yeah, let him breathe before you lecture him to death."

Jin sighed, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. "I'll go get him some water."

"No need!" Hoseok said quickly. "I'll go with you. He'll probably need some food too."

Namjoon nodded, his leader instincts kicking in. "We'll give you two some space," he said, motioning for Jimin to follow.

As they started to leave, Jin turned back to Taehyung with a small, reassuring smile. "Don't take too long to call us if he needs anything, okay?"

Taehyung barely acknowledged Jin's words with a nod, his focus entirely on Jungkook. The others quietly left, their emotions still raw but their hearts lighter knowing Jungkook was awake.

The door closed with a soft click, leaving Taehyung and Jungkook alone in the dimly lit room. For a long moment, Taehyung didn't move. He just stared at Jungkook, who looked so fragile—pale skin, trembling hands, and eyes half-lidded with exhaustion. It was a sight that broke Taehyung's heart all over again.

Jungkook tilted his head weakly, noticing Taehyung's silence. "Hyungie?" His voice was a whisper, barely audible.

That single word was enough to shatter the dam holding Taehyung's emotions back. A strangled sob tore from his throat as he sank to his knees beside the bed.

"Bun..." Taehyung's voice cracked as he grabbed Jungkook's hand, holding it tightly as if afraid it might slip away. His tears fell freely now, his chest heaving with sobs. "Do you have any idea what you've done to me? To all of us? I thought... I thought I lost you..."

Jungkook's lips parted in shock, his tired eyes wide with concern. "Hyungie... please don't cry," he murmured, trying to lift his other hand to wipe Taehyung's tears, but he was too weak to reach.

Taehyung shook his head vehemently, pressing Jungkook's hand against his cheek. "Don't tell me not to cry, Baby! You were lying there, lifeless, for 2days. 2 Days! I... I couldn't eat, I couldn't sleep, I couldn't even breathe without wondering if I'd wake up to you gone."

Jungkook's lips trembled, his own tears starting to fall. "Hyungie... I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice cracking.

Taehyung let out a bitter laugh, his tears falling faster. "Sorry? Don't you dare apologize! Just promise me you'll never leave me again, Bun. Promise me you'll stay by my side. I don't care what it takes—I'll protect you, even if it costs me everything."

Jungkook's heart clenched at Taehyung's words. He had never seen his hyungie so vulnerable, so utterly broken. And yet, beneath the pain, there was a raw, undeniable love that made his chest ache.

"I promise, hyungie," Jungkook said softly, his voice trembling. "I'll stay. I'll stay with you."

Taehyung closed his eyes, letting out a shaky breath as he pressed a kiss to Jungkook's knuckles. "I love you, Baby" he whispered, the words spilling from his lips like a confession he had held in for far too long.

Jungkook froze, his breath hitching. He stared at Taehyung, his heart racing despite his exhaustion. "Y-You... you love me?" he stammered, his voice filled with disbelief.

Taehyung lifted his head, his tear-streaked face open and honest. "Yes, JBun. I love you. I've loved you from the moment I met you. And every second since then, that love has only grown. You're my mate, my other half, my everything."

Jungkook's eyes filled with fresh tears as he took in Taehyung's words. A soft, shaky smile broke across his face, and he let out a weak laugh. "Hyungie... I love you too," he whispered, his voice breaking.

Taehyung blinked, stunned. "You... you do?"

Jungkook nodded, his tears streaming down his cheeks. "I do. I've been in love with you for so long, hyungie. I was just too scared to say it. But now... I don't want to waste any more time. I love you, Taehyung."

The sound of his name on Jungkook's lips, spoken with so much love and sincerity, was enough to undo Taehyung completely. He let out a soft sob, leaning forward to press his forehead against Jungkook's.

"I don't deserve you," Taehyung whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "But I promise, I'll spend the rest of my life proving that I do. I'll protect you, love you, cherish you... whatever it takes."

Jungkook smiled through his tears, his heart swelling with an overwhelming sense of belonging. "You already deserve me, hyungie. Just stay with me. That's all I need."

Taehyung cupped Jungkook's face gently, his thumb brushing away his tears. "Always, Bun. Always."

They stayed like that for a long time, their foreheads pressed together, their tears mingling as they finally confessed the feelings that had been simmering between them for so long. In that moment, nothing else mattered—not the poison, not the danger, not the pain. All that mattered was that they had each other.

Eventually, Jungkook's exhaustion caught up with him, and his eyes began to flutter shut. Taehyung carefully helped him lie back down, tucking the blankets around him.

"Rest, my love," Taehyung murmured, pressing a soft kiss to Jungkook's forehead. "I'll be right here when you wake up."

As Jungkook drifted off to sleep, a soft smile on his lips, Taehyung stayed by his side, his hand never leaving Jungkook's. For the first time in days, Taehyung felt a flicker of hope. His mate was awake, and they had confessed their love. No matter what came next, they would face it together.

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

Jungkook stepped out of the bathroom, his damp hair sticking to his forehead as he towel-dried it lazily. The warm bath had helped ease his fatigue, and he felt lighter, almost refreshed. Dressed in one of Taehyung's oversized sweaters and a pair of cozy shorts, he padded barefoot into the bedroom, humming softly to himself.

But then his reflection in the mirror caught his attention. His eyes narrowed as he leaned closer, inspecting the faint, crescent-shaped mark on the side of his neck.

"What... the..." Jungkook's brows furrowed, his hand flying up to touch the mark. His heartbeat quickened. "What is this?!"

He bolted out of the room, his bare feet slapping against the floor as he stormed into the living area, where Taehyung was sitting with a book. Taehyung looked up in surprise as Jungkook pointed accusingly at his own neck.

"Hyungie! Someone bit me!" Jungkook's voice was a mix of shock and indignation.

Taehyung blinked, his book slipping from his hands. "Uh..."

"Don't 'uh' me!" Jungkook huffed, stomping closer. "Who did this? Did someone sneak into the room while I was unconscious? Is this some kind of werewolf prank?!"

Taehyung gulped, his gaze darting anywhere but Jungkook's eyes. "It's not... exactly a prank."

Jungkook crossed his arms, glaring at him. "Then what is it? And why do you look like a guilty puppy caught stealing food?"

Taehyung stood, running a hand through his hair nervously. "Okay, uh, Bun... don't freak out."

Jungkook's eyes narrowed further. "You're making me freak out more by saying that."

Taehyung sighed, taking a tentative step closer. "I... I marked you."

Jungkook's jaw dropped. "You what?! You... marked me?!"

"Yes," Taehyung admitted, his ears turning red as he rubbed the back of his neck. "It was the only way to save you. The poison was killing you, and the doctor said marking you could neutralize it because of the bond."

Jungkook stared at him, his lips parted in shock. For a moment, he seemed to process the information, blinking slowly. Then he gasped dramatically.

"You bit me without my consent?!" he exclaimed, pointing an accusing finger at Taehyung. "I was unconscious! Hyungie, that's cheating!"

Taehyung's mouth opened and closed like a fish. "I... I didn't have a choice! It was either that or..." His voice broke, his shoulders slumping. "Or lose you."

Jungkook's indignation wavered at the sight of Taehyung's defeated posture. "Hyungie..."

Taehyung looked up at him, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "I wanted to make it special, Jungkook. I've dreamed about marking you for so long, but not like this. Never like this. I'm sorry, Bun. I'm so, so sorry."

Jungkook's heart softened at Taehyung's words. He bit his lip, his annoyance melting into something warmer, gentler.

"Hyungie," he said softly, stepping closer. "I was just teasing you."

Taehyung blinked, his eyes wide. "What?"

Jungkook grinned, his bunny teeth showing. "I mean, yeah, I was surprised, but... I'm not mad. You saved my life, didn't you? How could I be upset about that?"

Taehyung let out a shaky breath, relief washing over his face. "You... you're okay with it?"

Jungkook nodded, his cheeks turning pink. "More than okay, actually. I'm... happy. You marked me, hyungie. It means we're forever now, right? You're officially mine."

Taehyung's lips curved into a soft smile, his chest swelling with affection. "And you're mine, Bun. Forever."

Jungkook giggled, stepping closer until their faces were just inches apart. "But seriously, hyungie, next time give me a heads-up before you bite me, okay?"

Taehyung chuckled, his hand reaching up to cup Jungkook's cheek. "Next time, I'll make it so special you'll never forget it."

Jungkook leaned into his touch, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "I'll hold you to that, Taehyung-ssi."

Taehyung's thumb brushed over Jungkook's cheek as he leaned down, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to his lips. It was tender and full of unspoken promises, a seal of their love that words couldn't capture.

When they pulled apart, Jungkook's cheeks were flushed, and his lips curved into a shy smile. "I love you, hyungie," he whispered.

Taehyung's heart skipped a beat, his own smile widening. "I love you more, Bun."

They stayed like that for a moment, wrapped in each other's warmth, their bond stronger than ever. The world outside could wait—this was their moment, and they would savor every second of it.

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