♟ Take yourself ♟

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- What's the big secret?! -

Jungkook's POV

I furrowed my eyebrows, glancing at the trio with nothing but confusion. Found them? What was going on? They stared at one another, eyes somehow turning a little hooded and grey? I took my time to glance over at his monitor, reading over the email.

Unfortunately, I couldn't get far before Taehyung was closing the tab, his dark brown eyes burning into mine. "Don't," He warned, a shiver running down my spine at his deep voice. I gulped, pushing myself away a bit.

"Can you explain?" I asked barely above a whisper, praying that he'd finally reveal whatever it was that he was keeping secret. "No-," He began to say, cut off by Jimin, his eyes narrowed into an icy glare. "For fuck's sake, V! Just tell him!" A sudden feeling of anger surrounded the four of us, something else mixing in.

It felt like power?

It was indescribable, but the next thing I knew, I was being dragged out of the library by Taehyung, his friends following behind me. I yelped, feeling the grip on my wrist tighten, a sudden rush of fear hitting my veins. Where was he taking me? And why was he so angry?

"Tae-" I was cut off by a sound, one that sounded so very similar to a growl- an animalistic growl. I gulped again, my palms growing sweaty and pulse racing faster than it has ever before. What was happening? We were outside sooner than expected, my bag slung over my shoulder as we turned around the school.

Then, my bag was on the floor, my back slammed against the wall, hands pinned above my head. "You won't tell a single soul about what you heard, read, and saw," He barked out, voice deeper than before, his eyes burning into mine. "Am I understood, mate?"

My body shook, different sensations hitting me. Shivers ran down my arms and legs, a shudder through my spine, my head spinning. I felt myself slowly tilting my head to the side, my neck on display. "Understood," I said breathlessly, my breathing heavy and ragged.

His face was in the crook of my neck, tongue sliding over the flesh. Sparks flew throughout my body, a burning heat hitting my stomach. I gasped, arching my back so that my chest hit his. "Mine," He whispered, his hands letting go of mine and gripping my waist tightly.

This hold, it felt so protective.

"Yes, yes, yours," I mumbled, trying to take in deep breaths, my head spinning with vertigo. I glanced over to my right, both Jimin and Namjoon watching me closely. The heat hit my cheeks, staining them bright red as I met their eyes. Were they just going to watch me?

When Taehyung finally pulled away, his eyes were closed, breathing heavy and irregular. I wanted to touch him, to grab onto his shirt or something, but a feeling deep inside of me resisted the urge. When his eyes reopened, they were a lighter shade of brown.

"We need to go." I let my jaw drop, feeling him pull away from me and turn towards his friends. Anger bubbled up inside of me, my eyes narrowing in an icy glare. I'm tired of these secrets! Why couldn't he just fucking tell me?!

I don't know where it came from, or why I let it, but I balled my hand into a fist, punching Taehyung directly on the shoulder. My fist throbbed, my anger overpowering the pain. A look of shock ran through his eyes, lips parting open. I was breathing heavy, anger swirling around me, cheeks red with embarrassment and anger.

"Did you-" I clenched my fists tightly, knuckles turning white. "No!" I roared, my own voice surprising me. "I'm tired of these goddamn secrets!" I shouted, voice slowly going an octave deeper than before, his eyes widening ever so slightly. He took a step closer to me, my eyes narrowing more.

"Do not touch me," I spat with venom, something I thought I was incapable of having. He nodded, narrowing his eyes onto me, both Jimin and Namjoon taking a step back. I clenched my fists tighter, practically cutting off blood circulation. "I'm so fucking tired of you keeping shit from me!"

"What's the big deal? Huh?! What's the big fucking secret?!" I screamed, anger and sadness just doubling up inside of me. Taehyung remained quiet, a look of guilt flashing through his brown eyes. "I'm so tired of this! I open my heart to you! I take you to my home, offer you food and a place to stay, and this-" I took a deep breath, ready to return to my fit of yelling.

"This is how I'm treated in return?! What's the big fucking secret, Taehyung?!" His eyes met mine, something flashing within them that I couldn't quite make out. "Jungkook-" He reached out to grab my hand, tears beginning to pool in my eyes. I backed away, shaking my head.

"No. No! I'm tired of you keeping secrets from me!" I shouted, tears wetting my cheeks. Pain hit my chest, my legs beginning to wobble but my anger overpowered everything. "If I'm not worthy of your secrets then maybe you shouldn't have found me in the first place!"

"Jungkook-" I shook my head again, gritting my teeth from both pain and anger. His face contorted to one of pain as well but I didn't care. I was tired of these secrets. "I'm giving you one choice," I spoke, standing up straight, tears falling from my eyes as I met his.

"You tell me what you're hiding or I'll reject you as my mate."

The world fell silent, pain hitting my heart. His eyes widened, jaw-dropping open. Both Jimin and Namjoon visibly gulped, taking another step back. My fists remained clenched, my eyes narrowed onto Taehyung. "You wouldn't." I found myself snickering, eyes burning with anger.

"You wanna bet, V?" He growled, like actually growled, eyes darkening in color. Fear raked through me but I held my ground, both Jimin and Namjoon pushing themselves away from us. Taehyung took a step closer to me, my hands slowly beginning to shake.

Don't cower.

"You dare to reject me?" He asked, his voice much deeper than before. His eyes were almost black, his body towering over mine. Don't cower. Don't cower. "I would, but not if you tell me what you're hiding." He growled again, his eyes flashing a color I couldn't make out then returning to dark brown.

What was that?

"What makes you think you have a right to know, mate?"

I laughed, pushing his chest, hard. He stumbled back, sparks hitting my palms, and soothing the pain for a bit. "I have every right to know!" I roared, my own voice surprising me. "You said it yourself! I'm your mate! Your soulmate! I'm the one for you and you're the one for me, I have every fucking right to know!"

Just as Namjoon and Jimin took yet another step back, Taehyung spoke up, shudders running through my body. "Park. RM. Get your asses here, now." It was almost like a command, a gasp almost leaving past my lips at the words. They whimpered, like actually whimpered.

"Yes, Alpha..." I cocked an eyebrow, watching as they complied without arguing, walking right beside Taehyung. I gulped, straightening my posture and staring my mate dead in the eyes. "You will not reject me, understood?" Something raked through me, something I couldn't understand as to what.

I almost fell over, pain hitting me as I tried to resist, tried to deny his words. No, I would reject him if he didn't tell me. I shook my head, pushing myself against the wall, shutting my eyes as pain flooded my head and body. What was this? Why was this happening?

"Am I understood, Jungkook?"

Don't respond. Don't cower. Don't fall into the trap, not like you once did.

I wanted to scream but nothing came out, my body shaking with pain, my head pounding and swirling. "Stop that! Can't you see what you're doing to him, V?!" I heard from in front of me, my mind barely able to make out the voice as Namjoon. "You'll kill him!"

"He's the one resisting my commands!"

"He's a human, Taehyung! For fuck's sake, he isn't as strong as we are!"

I heard another growl, my body falling to the floor. Arms wrapped around me, sparks flying throughout my body, my head falling against his chest. "Stop. Stop resisting," He said, holding me against him, the pain beginning to subside. I gasped for air, breathing heavily as I clutched his shirt in my hands.

"God, Jungkook. Are you asking to get yourself killed?" I punched his chest weakly, anger still bubbling up inside me. "If that's what it takes to know what you're hiding from me, gladly." He growled, burying his face in the crook of my neck, teeth grazing my skin.

"I won't allow it."

"I didn't ask for your permission, asshole."

He growled once more, gripping my waist tightly. "I don't care if you asked for it or not. I will not let you die." I narrowed my eyes, clenching my fists again. With whatever remaining energy I had, I pushed myself up from the ground, grabbing my bag and slinging it over my shoulder.

"Fine. Keep your fucking secret from me. You have until the end of the week, just like you said. If I don't hear shit from you, consider this mate bond over." He stood up, his footsteps heard behind mine. I was about to snap, my mind telling me to fight.

But when I was pinned the wall, both Namjoon and Jimin beside me, Taehyung hovering over me, I was silenced. I gulped, seeing the anger that was held in Taehyung's eyes. "I'm tired of you running your mouth about this," He said, anger quite evident.

"Then maybe you should just stop being a pussy and tell me what you're hiding."

He laughed, like actually laughed. This fucker had the decency to laugh at me. His eyes met mine, a gasp leaving my lips. Instead of the dark brown they previously were, they were flashing from blue to brown. Blue. Blue. Dark blue.

The wolf.

My jaw fell open, a growl leaving his lips followed by another laugh. "I thought I could do this," He stated, pressing my hands against the wall even harder, a whimper leaving my lips. "I thought I could protect you from whatever is following me. I thought I could save you from Swiftcrest."

"Turns out that they're not the issue." I frowned, staring into his eyes despite them flashing different colors every few seconds. One hand moved up to cup my cheek, his eyes glinting with sadness. What was he trying to protect me from? "It's me."

"What? No. No, it's-" He sighed, pressing his lips to mine. I melted into the kiss, sparks flying through my body as our lips moved in sync. I wanted him as my boyfriend, I wanted to love him, but I wanted these secrets to be gone. I wanted to know what he was keeping from me.

"I tried to protect you, but in the end, I've realized that the one protecting you is the one putting you in danger," He said as he pulled away from me, pressing his forehead to mine. I shook my head, wanting to clutch onto his shirt and never let go.

"You can't keep yourself safe from me, because, bunny, I'm your predator," He laughed, tilting his head to the side, "and you're my prey."

He turned away, both Jimin and Namjoon following him, the trio breaking out into a sprint. I don't know what came over me, but I sprinted after them, struggling to keep up as they raced away from the school and towards the oncoming traffic.

Cars blocked me from crossing the road, their silhouettes seen in the distance. I stopped, breathing heavily and looking ahead. Taehyung flashed a sad smile, turning away from me and sprinting straight into the distance.

I froze, everything hitting me at once, but one question swirled around my mind.

Why did they run into the woods?

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(:

Two to three chapters left before the secret is fully revealed. Ready?

I purple you 💜

~Pisanthrophobia.