Chapter 12: A Fateful Encounter

The night air was cold against Jimin's skin as he carefully stepped beyond the boundaries of their hidden territory. The shadows of the dense forest stretched far behind him, and in front of him lay the human world—dangerous, unpredictable, and entirely foreign to someone like him.

Hoseok had escorted him as far as he could, stopping just before the final stretch where human territory truly began. "From here, you're on your own," Hoseok murmured, eyes scanning the surroundings warily. "Be careful, Jimin. You have to reach Jungkook safely. Our pack is in danger, and we need our Luna to return before it's too late."

Jimin nodded, swallowing the lump of fear in his throat. He wasn't a fighter like Hoseok or Namjoon. He was just an omega, and stepping into an unfamiliar world alone made his instincts scream at him to turn back. But he couldn't—he wouldn't.

With one last glance at his mate, Jimin slipped away into the dimly lit city streets of Seoul.

Seoul was overwhelming.

Bright lights, loud voices, the smell of gasoline and metal—it was nothing like the fresh air and silence of their forests. Jimin moved cautiously, his nose twitching as he tried to pick up the faintest trace of Taehyung's scent. But there was nothing.

He wandered through alleyways, streets bustling with humans, and even stood near tall buildings, hoping for a sign, but hours passed, and he found nothing. The cold was starting to seep into his bones, exhaustion dragging at his limbs. Where was Jungkook? Where was their Alpha?

Frustrated, Jimin kicked a small rock, watching as it clattered onto the pavement. I don't have time to waste. I need to find him before dawn.

But fate had other plans.

As he turned into a narrow, dimly lit street, he sensed it too late—danger.

Rough hands grabbed him from behind, and the stench of alcohol and filth filled his nose. Jimin's eyes widened in panic as he twisted in their grasp, finding himself surrounded by a group of men—drunk, their lecherous eyes locking onto him like he was nothing more than prey.

"Well, well, look what we have here," one of them slurred, his grin revealing yellowed teeth. "A pretty little thing, wandering around all alone at night. Are you lost, sweetheart?"

Jimin's stomach churned in fear. His omega instincts screamed at him to run, but they had him cornered.

"Let me go," he hissed, struggling against their grip. "I don't belong here."

Another man laughed, shoving him back against the brick wall. "Oh, I think you do. Why don't we take care of you, huh?"

Jimin's heartbeat pounded in his ears. He wasn't strong enough to fight off humans—not when they outnumbered him like this. Damn it! If only Hoseok was here!

"HELP!" he screamed, hoping against hope that someone would hear him. He kicked, clawed, but his omega body wasn't built for combat. I can't let them touch me!

Then—

A scent.

Jimin's wolf suddenly stirred, then howled.

"Mate! Mate! MATE!"

Jimin gasped as his entire being froze. The scent hit him like a wave—powerful, dominant, laced with something that made his entire soul tremble. It was warm, musky, and so, so familiar.

An Alpha.

No—his Alpha.

The men surrounding him didn't notice the sudden change in his expression, too focused on their drunken desires. But Jimin? He wasn't afraid anymore.

Because his mate was near.

His lips parted, and this time, when he screamed, it wasn't for help.

It was a call. A call to the one destined to protect him.

And somewhere in the night, his mate heard him.