Chapter 24: The Awakening

Taehyung wasted no time.

The moment Jungkook stepped back into his room, wearing nothing but the oversized shirt he had stolen, Taehyung's patience snapped. With a firm grip, he pushed Jungkook onto the bed, the mattress dipping under their combined weight. There was no hesitation in his movements, no second thoughts. He was rough, dominant—driven by an instinct he barely understood.

Jungkook didn't stop him.

His breath hitched as Taehyung hovered over him, pinning him down with nothing but his presence. The air between them crackled with something primal, something raw. Taehyung's fingers traced over Jungkook's exposed collarbone, gripping onto his skin like a predator claiming its prey.

Then, it happened.

A low, guttural growl rumbled from Taehyung's chest, vibrating through the air like a warning, a promise. His body stiffened, and his eyes flickered—once, twice—before shifting completely into a deep, menacing blood-red hue.

Jungkook's smirk widened, a glint of amusement dancing in his eyes. So, it's starting.

This was part of his plan all along.

In the past, he and Vante never had the luxury of claiming each other. They were always running, always fighting, their love buried beneath war and survival. Jungkook had never been marked, never been claimed—not by Vante, not by anyone. But now, here he was, beneath his reborn alpha, the weight of destiny pressing down on them.

And Taehyung's wolf knew it.

His instincts were clawing to the surface, demanding what was rightfully his. His mate. His Luna.

Taehyung's grip on Jungkook's wrist tightened, his breathing ragged, his pupils dilated. A dark chuckle escaped Jungkook's lips as he tilted his head back slightly, exposing more of his neck in an almost taunting manner.

"What's wrong, Taehyung?" he whispered, voice laced with challenge. "Your wolf wants to claim me, doesn't he?"

Taehyung growled again, sharper this time, his nails digging into Jungkook's skin. The battle inside him was evident. He was losing control, instincts overpowering reason, his wolf demanding to take, to mark, to own.

Jungkook's heart pounded, excitement thrumming through his veins. He had waited for this—for Taehyung's wolf to awaken, to remember what they once were, what they could be again.

Taehyung's lips parted, fangs slightly elongating, his breath hot against Jungkook's skin. His fingers trailed down Jungkook's throat, stopping right where a mark should be—a mark that was never there in their past life.

With a sudden move, Taehyung yanked Jungkook's shirt open, the fabric tearing under his strength. Jungkook gasped, but his lips curled into a pleased smirk, his body arching beneath Taehyung's touch. Heat radiated between them, their breaths mingling, the tension thick enough to suffocate.

"You think you can handle me?" Taehyung murmured darkly, his lips brushing against Jungkook's jaw. His fingers traced lower, pressing into the firm muscles of Jungkook's torso, his wolf growling in approval. "You're mine, Jungkook. My mate. My Luna."

Jungkook shuddered, his own instincts kicking in. His fingers curled around Taehyung's wrist, his nails pressing into the skin, a silent dare. "Then prove it."

Taehyung's patience snapped. He crushed his lips against Jungkook's, devouring him in a bruising, possessive kiss. His hands roamed freely, tracing every inch of Jungkook's body, mapping him out as if he needed to memorize him. Jungkook moaned against his lips, hips rolling up to meet Taehyung's weight.

The friction ignited something dangerous inside Taehyung. His wolf snarled, satisfaction coursing through him as Jungkook melted beneath him. Their bodies moved in sync, feverish, desperate. Every touch, every kiss was a battle for dominance, but Taehyung had no intention of letting Jungkook win.

His mouth trailed down, biting and sucking at Jungkook's skin, leaving faint bruises behind. Jungkook's fingers tangled in Taehyung's hair, tugging sharply, earning a low groan from his alpha. Their breaths came in ragged pants, the world around them fading until only the heat between them remained.

"Mark me," Jungkook pleaded, his voice raw with desire, his omega instincts overriding all logic. "Do it, Taehyung. Claim me."

Taehyung hesitated, his fangs hovering over Jungkook's throat. His wolf roared for him to bite down, to seal their bond forever. But deep down, a part of him resisted. Not yet. Not until Jungkook truly surrendered to him—not out of desperation, but out of pure, undeniable love.

Instead, he growled against Jungkook's skin, a dark promise in his voice. "Not tonight, baby boy. But soon. Very soon."

Jungkook whimpered in frustration, but the fire in his eyes never dimmed.

The night was far from over.