The atmosphere in Taehyung's room was heavy with concern. Jimin, Jin, and Hoseok hovered near the doorway, while Taehyung sat by the bed, his hand gently caressing Jungkook's hair. Jungkook, still looking pale and fragile, lay under the warm covers, his breathing steady but faint.

The door creaked open, and Dr. Lee stepped in, carrying her medical bag. Her expression was calm but focused, her sharp eyes scanning the room before settling on Jungkook.

"How is he?" Taehyung asked immediately, his voice low and laced with worry.

Dr. Lee gave a small, reassuring nod. "Let me examine him first." She walked to the bed, setting her bag on the bedside table. Pulling out her stethoscope, she leaned over Jungkook.

"Your Highness" she called softly, her tone soothing. "I'm here to check on you. Can you try to open your eyes for me?"

Jungkook fluttered his eyes open slightly, blinking sluggishly at her. "Tired..." he murmured weakly.

Dr. Lee smiled gently. "That's alright,Your Highness. You don't need to do much. Just relax." She pressed the stethoscope against his chest, her brow furrowing slightly as she listened to his heartbeat.

"What is it?" Taehyung asked, leaning forward. His hand never left Jungkook's.

Dr. Lee looked up briefly. "His heart is steady now, but he's still weak. His body is recovering from the trauma it went through. It will take time."

She checked Jungkook's pulse, examined his pupils with a small flashlight, and pressed lightly on his abdomen to check for tenderness. Jungkook winced slightly but didn't complain.

"Does it hurt here?" she asked softly.

Jungkook nodded faintly. "A little..."

"That's to be expected," Dr. Lee said, making notes in a small notepad. "His body is still expelling the remnants of the poison, and the strain has left him exhausted."

Taehyung frowned. "But he's going to be okay, right? There's no lasting damage?"

Dr. Lee straightened, meeting Taehyung's intense gaze. "He's stable now, but he needs complete rest. His energy reserves are depleted, and his immune system is fragile. You'll need to ensure he doesn't exert himself."

"I'll make sure of it," Taehyung replied firmly. His voice was resolute, but the tension in his jaw betrayed his lingering worry.

Dr. Lee turned to Jungkook, brushing his hair away from his forehead. "You're a fighter, aren't you, Your highness? Just keep resting, and you'll be back to yourself in no time."

Jungkook gave a faint smile. "Will I get better soon?"

"Yes," Dr. Lee assured him, her tone kind but professional. "But you need to listen to Your Majesty and let him take care of you."

At this, Jungkook's lips quirked into the barest hint of a pout. "He's already too much..."

The room filled with a light chuckle from Jimin and Jin, breaking some of the tension. Taehyung, however, remained serious.

Dr. Lee packed her tools back into her bag. "I'll leave a list of dietary recommendations and some medications to help with his recovery. Keep him hydrated and ensure he doesn't move around too much. His body needs to conserve energy."

Taehyung nodded. "Understood. Anything else?"

Dr. Lee hesitated for a moment. "Emotionally, he might feel fragile as well. It's important to keep his spirits up. Surround him with people he loves, but don't overwhelm him."

Taehyung glanced down at Jungkook, his expression softening. "He won't be alone. I'll take care of everything."

As Dr. Lee stood to leave, she added, "I'll check on him again in two days. Call me immediately if anything feels off."

Jungkook's eyelids fluttered shut again, his body relaxing under Taehyung's watchful gaze. Taehyung stayed seated, his hand cradling Jungkook's like it was the most precious thing in the world.

Dr. Lee gave a final bow to the others in the room before quietly exiting. The silence that followed was heavy but hopeful. As Taehyung leaned closer to brush a gentle kiss against Jungkook's forehead, the room seemed to settle into a sense of fragile peace.

Letting jungkook sleep Taehyung walked outside the room. Entering the living room, his expression hard and unreadable. Everyone who was present—Jimin, Namjoon, Hoseok, and Yoongi—immediately straightened at the sight of their Alpha.

"How is he?" Jimin asked softly.

Taehyung's gaze softened momentarily. "He's fine. Still tired but stable." Then his eyes shifted, cold and calculating, as they landed on Hoseok and Yoongi. His voice dropped to a dangerous tone. "Let's finish what we started."

The two nodded, understanding his unspoken command. The trio headed to the basement, the tension thick in the air.

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

The dark basement reeked of dampness and fear. The faint hum of a flickering bulb cast erratic shadows over the blood-streaked walls. Minji sat tied to a chair, her body battered and broken from days of torment. Her wrists were raw from struggling against the ropes, her face pale and tear-streaked. Yet, despite her pitiful state, her eyes flickered with a dangerous glint of defiance.

She flinched as the sound of measured footsteps echoed through the room, the sharp clack of shoes on concrete growing louder. Her heartbeat quickened, a flicker of hope rising. Maybe they'd come to release her. But as the figures emerged from the shadows, her stomach dropped. It wasn't salvation—

it was the devil himself.

Taehyung stepped into the light, his expression cold, unreadable. His usually warm brown eyes were a piercing, unnatural amber, glinting with deadly intent. Behind him, Hoseok and Yoongi flanked him silently, their faces grim.

Minji's lips trembled. "Y-Your Majesty... Alpha," she stammered, her voice cracking. "Please... I—"

"Silence." His voice was calm but razor-sharp, cutting through her pleas like a blade. The sheer weight of his presence made the air thick, suffocating.

Taehyung took slow, deliberate steps toward her, each one echoing ominously in the confined space. "Do you know why you're still alive, Minji?" he asked, his tone deceptively soft.

Minji's head jerked up, confusion and fear warring in her eyes. She shook her head frantically. "I-I didn't mean to—"

"Enough with your lies!" Yoongi's voice snapped like a whip, his usually calm demeanor replaced with raw fury. His eyes bore into her, cold and merciless. "Even now, you can't admit what you did."

"I didn't—" she started, but Hoseok stepped forward, his lip curling in disgust.

"We found the fruit in your room," Hoseok growled. "The same fruit that poisoned Jungkook. Your scent was all over it, Minji. Did you think you could hide?"

Minji's face turned ashen. Her lips parted, but no words came out.

"Even after everything," Taehyung continued, his voice eerily composed, "I gave you a chance. I overlooked your earlier attempts to create misunderstandings. Do you know why?" He leaned closer, his gaze boring into her soul. "Because I believed, foolishly, that you'd stop. That you'd understand your place."

Minji's tears streamed freely now. "I did it because I love you!" she cried, her voice breaking. "I'm better for you than that... that human! He's weak, he's—"

A sharp growl from Taehyung silenced her, but it wasn't just any growl. It was deeper, more guttural, reverberating through the room. Taehyung's aura darkened visibly, and the air around him seemed to vibrate with raw power. His hand twitched, and for the first time, she noticed his nails elongating into claws.

"You dare speak ill of my mate?" Taehyung's voice was no longer his own. It was layered with another, darker tone—V's. His canines extended into sharp, deadly fangs, glinting under the dim light.

Minji whimpered, shrinking back in her chair. "Please... Your Majesty, I—"

"You're not worthy to utter his name," V snarled, stepping forward. His movements were fluid, almost predatory. "Do you know what you've done, Minji? You tried to take away what's mine. My mate. My reason for living."

Taehyung's claws raked across the arm of the chair, shredding it effortlessly. His eyes glowed brighter, the beast within him fully awakened. He grabbed her jaw with one hand, forcing her to meet his gaze.

"You think love excuses your actions?" V's voice was mocking, dripping with venom. "You think your pathetic obsession gives you the right to hurt him?"

Minji sobbed, shaking her head. "I'm sorry! Please, forgive me!"

"Sorry won't bring back the nights I spent praying he'd wake up," Taehyung hissed, his voice trembling with rage. "Sorry won't erase the image of him lying there, fighting for his life because of you."

Without warning, his claws dug into her shoulder, drawing blood. Minji screamed, thrashing against the ropes, but his grip was unyielding.

"Pain?" V whispered darkly. "This is nothing compared to what Jungkook endured."

He leaned closer, his lips near her ear as he spoke his final words to her. "You wanted my attention, Minji? You have it now."

V's claws slashed across her chest, not deep enough to kill, but enough to make her scream in agony. Blood dripped onto the floor as her body convulsed with pain. V relished in her torment, his expression devoid of any mercy. He crouched before her, watching her crumble.

"Beg," V commanded, his voice ice-cold. "Beg for the death you tried to give my mate."

Minji shook her head weakly, her pride refusing to let her comply. V smirked, his fangs glinting. "Still defiant? Let me help you."

With a swift motion, V's clawed hand pierced through her side, sending waves of excruciating pain through her body. She screamed louder, tears streaming down her face as she sobbed incoherently.

"I-I'm sorry! Please!" she choked out, her voice barely audible through her cries. "Kill me! I can't take it anymore!"

V's smile was cold and cruel. "Finally," he said, standing to his full height. "But you don't deserve a quick death."

His claws slashed one final time, a precise, brutal strike to her throat. Minji's body slumped, lifeless, her blood pooling beneath her. V stood over her, his chest heaving as he surveyed his work.

Hoseok and Yoongi exchanged glances, both grim but satisfied. "She got what she deserved," Hoseok muttered, his voice low.

Taehyung's claws retracted, his fangs disappearing as he regained control. His amber eyes dimmed, returning to their usual brown. He wiped his bloodied hands on a towel Hoseok handed him, his expression unreadable.

"Burn the body," Taehyung said quietly, his voice flat. "Make sure there's nothing left."

As he turned to leave, his shoulders sagged slightly. The weight of what he'd done hung heavy in the air. But as he ascended the stairs, only one thought consumed him: Jungkook. His mate. His everything.

For him, Taehyung would do it all over again.

After washing the scent of blood and violence from himself, Taehyung quietly entered the room he shared with Jungkook. His mate was still asleep, his chest rising and falling softly under the thick blanket Taehyung had tucked around him earlier. For a moment, the Alpha stood still, letting the sight of Jungkook wash away the darkness clinging to his heart.

He approached the bed and gently brushed a stray strand of hair from Jungkook's face. The lavender scent he loved so much filled the air, calming him. Mine. Always mine.

The next morning, Jungkook stirred awake, blinking at the soft sunlight streaming through the window. His body still felt weak, but the familiar scent of Taehyung surrounding him made him feel safe. However, as soon as he tried to sit up, the door burst open.

"Don't you dare move!" Taehyung barked, rushing to his side. He gently but firmly pushed Jungkook back onto the bed.

"I was just trying to sit up," Jungkook grumbled, his voice raspy from sleep. "You don't have to act like I'm made of glass."

Taehyung ignored the complaint, adjusting the blanket around Jungkook like he was tucking in a child. "You're not putting any strain on yourself, Baby. Doctor's orders."

Jungkook groaned but didn't argue.

Breakfast time brought more chaos than peace. Jungkook had barely taken two bites of the soup Jin brought before Taehyung started fussing.

"Is it too hot? Too cold? Does it taste okay?" Taehyung asked, leaning close to scrutinize Jungkook's expression.

"It's soup, Tae Hyungie. Soup!" Jungkook muttered, shoving another spoonful into his mouth to prove his point.

Jin chuckled from the doorway. "You're like a mother hen, Taehyung. He's eating, let him breathe."

"Excuse me for caring," Taehyung snapped, though his ears turned red.

Jungkook gave Jin a grateful look, but his relief was short-lived.

Taehyung plucked the bowl from Jungkook's hands as soon as it was half-finished. "That's enough. Don't overeat; your stomach might not handle it yet."

"Tae Hyungie!" Jungkook whined, throwing his head back against the pillow. "I'm not a baby!"

"You're my baby," Taehyung retorted, completely unfazed.

Jungkook groaned louder, covering his face with his hands. "Someone save me."

Later that afternoon, the mansion was alive with quiet activity. Namjoon and Jin were handling pack duties in the study, Yoongi and Hoseok were organizing patrol schedules, and Jimin was busy preparing light snacks for everyone. Jungkook, however, was dealing with a different kind of trouble—Taehyung.

"Do you need water? A pillow adjustment? Should I carry you to the balcony for fresh air?" Taehyung asked, hovering like a shadow.

"No, no, and absolutely not," Jungkook snapped, crossing his arms. "Tae Hyungie, I've been in this bed for two days. Let me get up and walk around."

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because I said so."

"That's not a reason!"

"It's the only reason that matters," Taehyung said firmly, his hands on his hips.

Jungkook let out an exaggerated sigh, flopping dramatically onto his back. "I'm going to lose my mind."

By evening, Jungkook had had enough. Everyone gathered in the living room for tea and casual conversation. Taehyung insisted on carrying Jungkook down himself, ignoring the younger's protests.

"I have legs!" Jungkook shouted, smacking Taehyung's arm.

"And they're not being used until the doctor says so," Taehyung replied smugly, adjusting his grip as if Jungkook weighed nothing.

As soon as they entered the living room, Jin and Jimin burst out laughing.

"Does Jungkook need a throne, Your Highness?" Jin teased, earning a glare from Taehyung.

"Stop laughing and bring pillows," Taehyung ordered, setting Jungkook carefully onto the couch.

Jungkook shot everyone a helpless look, but Namjoon patted his shoulder sympathetically. "You're on your own, kid."

After dinner, Taehyung helped Jungkook back to their room, ignoring the younger's sulking. Once Jungkook was comfortably tucked into bed, he decided to address the elephant in the room.

"Tae Hyungie?" Jungkook said softly, looking up at his mate.

"Yes, baby?" Taehyung responded immediately, sitting beside him.

"Do you... always plan to treat me like this?" Jungkook asked, though his tone was teasing.

Taehyung's expression softened. "Only when you're recovering . You scared me, Bun. I thought I might lose you. But if needed Yeah"

The sincerity in his voice made Jungkook's annoyance melt away. He reached out to grab Taehyung's hand, lacing their fingers together. "I'm not going anywhere, you big Wolfie."

Taehyung leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to Jungkook's forehead. "I love you, Baby."

Jungkook smiled, pulling Taehyung closer for a proper kiss. "I love you too, Tae Hyungie. But tomorrow... I'm getting out of this bed, whether you like it or not."

Taehyung groaned, resting his forehead against Jungkook's. "You're going to be the death of me."

"Then at least I'll have you by my side," Jungkook replied cheekily, earning a laugh from Taehyung.

For the first time in days, the mansion was filled with warmth and laughter again.

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