Chapter 11: Shadows in the Forest

The wind howled through the dense canopy of the hidden forest, sending shivers down the spines of those patrolling the borders of the pack's territory. Under the veil of ancient witch magic, the land remained concealed from human eyes, but the tension among the wolves was palpable. Something was wrong.

Beta Kim Seokjin stood at the heart of the pack's main hall, his arms crossed as he listened to the latest report from the head of security, Jung Hoseok. Beside him, his alpha mate, Kim Namjoon, exuded quiet authority, his sharp gaze scanning the room filled with concerned wolves.

Hoseok took a deep breath before speaking, his voice heavy with urgency. "In the past few days, several of our wolves have gone missing. At first, we thought they might have wandered too far or fallen victim to rogues, but this morning—" he hesitated, his eyes flickering with restrained rage, "—we found the bodies of two commoners deep in the forest. Killed. Torn apart. And it wasn't by any ordinary beast."

A heavy silence fell upon the room.

Seokjin's face darkened. "Are you certain it wasn't an accident? A territorial fight between rogues?"

Hoseok shook his head. "No. The scent we found at the scene wasn't familiar. It's masked, unnatural. Whoever did this was covering their tracks. And it's not just the missing wolves—some of our border patrols have reported strange movements near the concealed boundaries."

Namjoon clenched his jaw. "This is not a coincidence. The enemy is moving. If they're hunting our people, we are running out of time."

A soft voice interrupted the discussion. "Then we need to act now."

All eyes turned to Park Jimin, Hoseok's omega mate, who stood near the doorway, his expression unusually firm. His usual warmth had been replaced with resolve, and he met their gazes without hesitation.

"We can't just wait and hope for Taehyung and Jungkook to return on their own. They don't even know what's happening here," Jimin continued. "I will go and deliver this information to our Luna myself."

Hoseok's expression darkened instantly. "No. Absolutely not. It's too dangerous. If wolves are being hunted, you're exactly the kind of target they'd want."

Jimin stepped forward, determination burning in his eyes. "And that's why I need to go. I can move unnoticed among humans. The enemy is searching for power—strong warriors, trained wolves. They won't be looking for an omega. I can get close to Taehyung without drawing attention."

Seokjin exchanged a glance with Namjoon. Though the idea of sending Jimin alone was reckless, they couldn't deny that he had a point. The pack was vulnerable, their numbers already dwindling, and Taehyung needed to know what was happening.

Namjoon exhaled sharply. "If you do this, you're not going alone. We'll send a small escort to make sure you reach the city safely. Once you find Taehyung, you are to return immediately. No unnecessary risks."

Jimin nodded, relief flashing across his face. "I'll find him. And I'll bring him back."

As the meeting ended, Seokjin placed a hand on Namjoon's shoulder, his grip firm. "We're running out of time. If they're making their move, we need our alpha back. We need Vante."

Namjoon's gaze darkened. "Then let's make sure he remembers who he is before it's too late."

Beyond the hidden barriers, the enemy lurked in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.