Chapter 20: A Test of Will

Jimin sat on the cold chair, his wrists bound tightly behind his back. His entire body ached from struggling, but he refused to show weakness. Taehyung stood in front of him, arms crossed, his dark eyes scanning Jimin with unnerving intensity.

The room was dimly lit, shadows casting eerie shapes across the walls. Jimin had been here for hours, yet Taehyung hadn't laid a single hand on him. No threats, no violence—just silence and occasional questions.

But that was about to change.

The heavy door creaked open, and Taehyung's men dragged in a small, trembling child. Jimin's breath hitched as he took in the sight—a boy no older than six, his big teary eyes filled with terror. He was dirty, bruises visible on his tiny arms, and his lips quivered as he clutched onto the sleeve of the man holding him.

Jimin's heart pounded in his chest.

Taehyung knelt beside the boy, gently ruffling his hair in a disturbingly calm manner. "Do you know why you're here, Jimin?" Taehyung's voice was smooth, almost soothing, but Jimin could hear the deadly edge beneath it.

Jimin clenched his jaw, refusing to respond.

Taehyung let out a small sigh and then, without warning, pulled a gun from his holster. He cocked it and placed the barrel against the child's temple. The boy whimpered, his body trembling violently as he shut his eyes tight.

Jimin's breath caught in his throat. His entire body went rigid. "Stop!" he gasped, his voice hoarse with panic. "What the hell are you doing?!"

Taehyung tilted his head, a smirk playing on his lips. "You see, I have very little patience, Jimin. And since you refuse to talk, I figured a little… persuasion was needed." His finger hovered over the trigger. "Tell me everything, or this child dies."

Jimin's body shook with rage and helplessness. His omega instincts screamed at him to protect, to shield the innocent. He couldn't let this child die—he wouldn't.

Tears welled up in his eyes as he looked at the boy. "It's okay, sweetheart. I won't let anything happen to you," he whispered before glaring at Taehyung. "You're a monster."

Taehyung chuckled darkly. "That's not an answer."

Jimin's lips trembled as he exhaled shakily. He had no choice.

"I'll talk," he whispered, his voice breaking. "Please… just don't hurt him."

Taehyung's smirk widened, his grip on the gun loosening slightly. He signaled the guards to leave and then sat on the chair like a king, pulling the child onto his lap. His gaze was piercing as he leaned back, watching Jimin closely.

"Why are you all here?" he asked, his voice calm but demanding. "You three are not one of us. Tell me."

Jimin hesitated, his throat dry, but the sight of the terrified child forced his resolve to break. His voice was barely above a whisper as he finally answered Taehyung's question, revealing the truth he had fought so hard to keep hidden.

"We came here because of you," Jimin admitted, swallowing hard. "You are… not just a human. You are something more—something beyond what you can comprehend."

Taehyung narrowed his eyes but remained silent, urging Jimin to continue.

"You were reborn. You are the reincarnation of someone from the past—a powerful soul meant to return. And you… you are tied to him in ways you don't understand yet." Jimin clenched his fists, his voice trembling with the weight of his words. "He came here to ensure your safety. To protect you from forces that will try to destroy him… and you."

Taehyung's expression darkened, his fingers tightening around the child for a brief moment before relaxing. "And who exactly is after him, us?"

Jimin's breathing was uneven. "The Trueblood Alpha… the one who ruled before. He's coming back, and he wants Jungkook—he wants him under his control. If you think what you've seen so far is dangerous, you have no idea what's coming. He is coming to take your Luna, to take Jungkook from you. You need to remember your true identity. You are nothing in front of him as a human. He will kill you with the snap of his fingers."

Taehyung's jaw clenched, his mind racing. The weight of Jimin's words settled over him, and for the first time in a long while, uncertainty flickered in his gaze.

This was more than a mere game of power. This was war.

Taehyung exhaled sharply, his eyes cold and calculating. "Shift into your wolf," he ordered, his voice laced with finality. "I want to make sure you are really not human."

Jimin stiffened at the command. His heart pounded, fear flickering in his eyes. He hesitated for a long moment before whispering, "Bring me a blanket… and a new pair of clothes."

Taehyung raised a brow but complied, messaging for one of his men to retrieve them. Jimin exhaled shakily, bracing himself. The moment the blanket was placed over him, his body tensed.

And then, in a heartbeat, his clothes shredded apart as his form shifted—bones cracking, muscles twisting, fur sprouting. A brilliant white wolf with piercing blue eyes now stood before Taehyung, panting heavily.

Taehyung's breath hitched. His fingers curled into the chair's armrests as he stared at the magnificent creature before him.

It was true. Jimin wasn't human.

And if Jimin wasn't, then neither was Jungkook. Neither was Yoongi.

Neither was he.