entrance. "Just don't scare him off with that intensity of yours." Jungkook smirked. "Too late for that." Yoongi rolled his eyes but didn't argue. Instead, he adjusted his suit and flicked his gaze back to the aisle. "Let's just hope he doesn't make a run for it."

Jungkook's smirk faded into something softer, something real. He wasn't worried. Taehyung would come—he knew it. That's why he waited. And for the first time in his life,waiting didn't feel unbearable—because this time,at the end of it, Taehyung would be walking straight to him.

Then the soft melody of the wedding began to play, and Jungkook felt his heart pound louder than ever. His fingers twitched at his sides, barely keeping himself from shifting on his feet. And then, at that exact moment, the grand doors opened.

And Jungkook—along with the alpha inside him—forgot how to breathe. Because there he was. Taehyung. 𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘨𝘢.

Dressed in the most beautiful wedding suit, looking ethereal—like he was made to stand there, waiting to walk toward Jungkook. But it wasn't just his appearance, wasn't just the delicate, breathtaking beauty of his face. No, it was the way he looked back at Jungkook,

fire in his eyes, something unreadable but burning all the same, but it didn't matter. Nothing mattered except for the fact that he had never seen anything more breathtaking in his entire life. Beside him, Yoongi let out a quiet chuckle. "Don't stare like that, Kook."

Jungkook didn't even blink, his gaze locked onto Taehyung as he took slow, measured steps down the aisle. "Let me stare," Jungkook murmured, voice barely above a whisper. Taehyung hesitated for a moment at the start of the aisle, his fingers twitching at his sides.

But then, with a quiet breath, he took the first step forward—his father beside him. JJungkook noticed the tension in Taehyung's posture, the way his lips pressed together like he wanted to be anywhere but here. Like he wasn't walking toward his future—toward him—but rather

being led to something he couldn't escape. But he was walking toward him. And that was all Jungkook cared about. The music played softly in the background, the scent of fresh flowers filling the hall. And every step Taehyung took felt like it was dragging on forever,

and Jungkook had to stop himself from just reaching out and closing the distance himself. He just wanted to touch him, hold him, tell him that no matter what he was feeling, they were going to be okay. And then, finally, Taehyung was standing in front of him.

Jungkook exhaled slowly, his gaze locked onto Taehyung's. His omega. Only His. The officiant cleared his throat, but Jungkook barely heard it. All he could focus on was Taehyung—the warmth of his presence, the fire in his eyes, the way he stood tall even though Jungkook could

tell he wanted to run. Taehyung met his gaze, something unreadable flickering in his expression. But he was here. He had come to him. And Jungkook would make sure he never left.

— As Taehyung reached the altar, the music faded, leaving behind a heavy silence that seemed to press against his chest. His father, Daehyun, stopped beside him, his grip on Taehyung's arm lingering for a moment longer than necessary. There was an unspoken conversation in

Daehyun's eyes as he searched Taehyung's face. He was not okay with this. He would not be okay with this. His son—his pride, his heart—was being given away to an alpha Daehyun did not believe deserved him. But this was happening. His son would become a Jeon, and there was

nothing he could do to stop it. Taehyung knew exactly what his father was asking, even without words. Are you ready? Do you want this? His fingers tightened around his father's sleeve—a silent plea, a fleeting moment of comfort. But then, with the smallest nod, he let go.

The priest was about to begin when Daehyun suddenly raised a hand. "Just a minute," he said, his voice calm. He exhaled slowly before turning his gaze to Jungkook. His expression was unreadable, but his voice carried the weight of a father entrusting his child to another.

"Jeon Jungkook," Daehyun said, his voice carrying a weight that settled over the entire hall. "My son has been my pride and joy since the day he was born. He is precious to me, to our family, and now we are giving his hand to you. Whether his heart follows or not, we are still

giving him to you. So, take care of him, love him, and never let him stand alone." Taehyung felt his father's words sink heavily into his heart. He didn't dare look at him—he knew he would see the quiet sadness in his eyes, the pain of a father who had no choice but to let go.

Jungkook, on the other hand, swallowed hard. It was the first time Taehyung's father had spoken to him this way—not with anger, but with something deeper. A quiet, painful acceptance. He met Daehyun's gaze and nodded. "With my life," he said. "I'll take care of him."

For a moment, Daehyun simply looked at younger alpha, as if searching for any sign of hesitation. Finding none, he gave a slow nod before stepping back. The absence of his father's hand left a strange hollowness, but Taehyung barely had time to dwell on it. Jungkook's fingers

laced through his, warm, grounding him in a way he wasn't sure he was ready for. Daehyun turned without another word, walking toward his seat beside Hana and Seokjin. Taehyung could feel their eyes on him, carrying the same emotions his father had—love, sadness, and something

else he couldn't quite name. Something that made his chest tighten and his throat burn. Now, standing next to Jungkook, their hands still clasped, Taehyung barely registered the priest stepping forward with a warm smile. "Dearly beloved," the priest began, his voice calm and

clear, "we are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the union of Jeon Jungkook and Kim Taehyung in the sacred bond of marriage." Sacred. The word made Taehyung's chest ache. He wanted to cry. His hand felt heavy in Jungkook's, his entire being screaming against this.

The priest continued, "Today, under the blessing of the Moon Goddess, they stand before us, ready to declare their commitment before family, friends, and the spirits of our ancestors. Their bond, chosen by fate, is one that shall not be broken. Through trials and triumphs,

through hardship and joy, their souls shall walk together, bound not only by law but by the sacred nature of their wolf spirits. As mates, as partners, as one." Taehyung wanted to scream. It is not love. I don't want someone like him. But he couldn't.

He had no choice but to stand here and pretend. His gaze drifted down to their joined hands, then up to Jungkook's face. Their eyes met briefly, and Taehyung quickly looked away. Jungkook looked happy. Overjoyed. As if this was the best moment of his life.

Because it was what he wanted. What he had forced into existence. Jungkook didn't care that the omega he claimed as his own was standing here, feeling nothing but devastation. "Now," the priest said, nodding toward Jungkook, "Jeon Jungkook, do you take Kim Taehyung to be your

lawfully wedded partner? To love, honor, and cherish him, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?" Jungkook's heart pounded, but his voice was strong and sure. "I do." Then, he turned fully to Taehyung, taking both of his hands gently.

He had dreamed of this, longed for it, and now it was finally happening. Looking into Taehyung's eyes—those beautiful, expressive eyes—he saw everything. The fire, the defiance, the pain. But beneath it all, he wanted to believe there was something else, something deeper,

waiting to bloom in time. Jungkook gave Taehyung's hands a small squeeze before speaking. "Taehyung," he began, his tone softer than anyone had ever heard from him before, "from the moment I saw you, I knew there was nothing in this world I wouldn't do for you.

You are my moon, my anchor, my destined one. I promise to stand by your side, to protect you, to cherish you, even in the moments when you push me away." Taehyung's throat tightened. He wanted to look anywhere but at Jungkook, but the alpha's grip was firm, grounding him

in place. The words were beautiful—meant to reassure, to soothe—but they didn't change what had already happened. They didn't take away the weight of everything that had led them here. Jungkook continued, his gaze locked onto Taehyung's. "I know that love is not something

that can be demanded, and I won't ask you to give me what you don't yet feel. But I will spend every day proving that I am worthy of you. I will wait for the day when you look at me, not with resentment, but with something softer." Taehyung bit the inside of his cheek.

His heart wavered, reacting to the sincerity in Jungkook's voice, but his anger—his hatred—still burned too strong. How could he just let go? How could he forget? "As your alpha," Jungkook went on, his hands trembling slightly now, "I vow to be your strength when you need it,

your shelter when the world feels too much, and your constant, unwavering presence in this life." Taehyung wanted to scoff. His shelter? The same person who had backed him into a corner and taken his choices from him? Jungkook spoke like he was offering

Taehyung a choice now, but the truth was, there had never been one. "I will never let you stand alone, Taehyung," Jungkook finished, his voice dropping even lower. "No matter what happens, you will always have me." The hall was silent. Taehyung felt everyone's eyes on him,

and then priest turned to Taehyung. "And do you, Taehyung, take Jungkook to be your lawfully wedded mate? To honor and walk beside him, through every challenge and triumph, under the Moon Goddess's watchful gaze?" Taehyung's fingers twitched in Jungkook's grip, his breath shaky

as the priest's words stayed in the air. His body felt stiff, like the moment was too heavy for him. Take Jungkook? As his mate? His lips parted, but no words came out. Everyone was watching him, waiting—expecting. His father. His mother. His brother. Jungkook's family.

The priest. And Jungkook, holding his hands tightly, as if afraid to let him go. The air felt heavy, almost suffocating. Taehyung's heart ached in his chest. A part of him wanted to fight, to scream, to tell everyone this wasn't right. That he hadn't chosen this.

That Jungkook had forced him, taking away his future the moment he made him agree to this marriage. But what would that change? Nothing. So instead, he swallowed hard, forcing down the lump in his throat, and exhaled shakily.