"Wow. Their library is huge. Where do we even start?" Yoo Jung said.
"Myths, history, supernatural and witchcraft." Taehyung said.
"Why witchcraft?" Yoo Jung asked.
"Find something about putting a spell on an object or a human. Or even meaning of birthmarks. You take care of that part and I'll check on anything about wolves." Taehyung said.
"Yes, boss!" Yoo Jung said as they started to explore the library, separately.
Taehyung asked the librarian where he could find books on werewolf history and legends. When he found out that it was on the third floor, he mentally cursed himself for not wearing his shoe lifts or his customized shoes. He has a tendency to wobble on the stairs when he goes up or down and the two options would've made it easy for him.
Luckily for him though, he found out that there's an elevator strictly available for handicapped students. He thought of not using it at first as other students might notice him. If that happens, it would be a telltale sign that he can be a perfect target for bullies.
But, then, three floors were no joke for him so he just went ahead and used the lift.
Just as he entered the elevator, Jungkook arrived at the library and saw him.
Why did he use the handicap lift?
You noticed him limping earlier too right? His wolf asked.
Yeah. I'll just ask him about that later on. Jungkook mentally said.
He then went to one of the computers to check the inventory for the book that Jimin told him about.
Third floor, Aisle 15, Row 4, Returned.
Jungkook was relieved to see that the book was available, so he immediately sprinted to the third floor, skipping steps on the stairs to get there fast.
Maybe he's at the third floor too?
Focus, Jungkook. Find the book first and then go get our mate.
You're so impatient.
Says the one who's running like the building's on fire.
Shut up, JK.
When Jungkook got to the third floor, he scanned the area but didn't see any signs of Taehyung yet. So, he went to the aisle where The Purple Moon book was located. As he was getting closer, he could smell Taehyung's scent getting stronger and he couldn't help but smile.
When he turned on the aisle, he was quite happy to see Taehyung there already.
"Hey." Jungkook said.
"Oh, hi. Did you follow me here?" Taehyung asked.
Jungkook chuckled. "Not really, I came here for a specific book."
"About your kind?" Taehyung asked.
"You make it sound like we're a totally different specie. I'm part human too, you know." Jungkook said.
Taehyung laughed. "I didn't mean to make it sound that way, but technically, we are different."
Maybe not for long. Jungkook thought.
"So, which book are you looking for?" Taehyung asked.
"It should be here somewhere." Jungkook said as he scanned the fourth row of the shelf. It didn't take long for him to find it as it was the only book that's colored purple.
"Found it." Jungkook said as Taehyung just watched him the whole time.
The book looked really old and overused. Jungkook looked at it and read the front cover.
The Purple Moon
The Legend of The White Wolf
"Here, this should help you." Jungkook said.
"Huh?"
"I got this for you. You asked me if there were wolves with purple eyes? Apparenly, there's a story about them in this book. One of my omega friends recommended it." Jungkook said.
"So, you went here for this, just for me?" Taehyung asked.
"I just wanted to help." Jungkook said.
"Why?" Taehyung asked.
"Just because, come on take it." Jungkook said.
Taehyung took the book from Jungkook and eyed him suspiciously.
"I won't accept "just because" for an answer. Why the sudden interest in helping me? We just met. Are you, by any chance, hiding something from me?" Taehyung asked.
Jungkook sighed.
"I have a strong feeling that you're one of us."
"Is your spidey sense tingling?" Taehyung chuckled and so did the older.
"I told you, I caught your scent."
"Just mine? How about my sister's?" Taehyung asked.
"It doesn't work that way." Jungkook said.
"What doesn't work that way?" Taehyung asked, looking intently at Jungkook's eyes.
Tell him, Jungkook.
Not yet.
"That's for a later story. In the meantime, read the book and tell me what you find after."
"So, you are keeping something from me?" Taehyung asked.
"It's your first day in college. Think of this as one of your subjects that you'd need to study on. Let's call it Werewolves 101 and I'd be your professor." Jungkook said with a wink.
Taehyung blushed, but didn't lose his composure.
Is he flirting with me? Hmmm...I think I can play this game too.
Taehyung thought, not knowing where he got the confidence from. He's just so comfortable with Jungkook and the older is starting to grow on him.
"Well, that sucks Mr. Jeon. Professor-student relationships are forbidden so I guess we can just be friends then." Taehyung said before starting to walk away.
"Woe, stop right there." Jungkook said as he gently held Taehyung's wrist and made the latter face him.
"You can't just say something like that and walk away, Mr. Kim." Jungkook said as he closely looked at Taehyung's features.
Taehyung gulped as they were standing quite close to each other.
"What happened? Where's that confidence from a minute ago, hmm?" Jungkook said as he touched Taehyung's left cheek where his birthmark was.
Taehyung closed his eyes and exhaled. It was the first time for him to feel someone's touch and he loved the warmth of Jungkook's fingers on his skin.
"God, you're so beautiful, Taehyung." Jungkook said.
Taehyung slowly opened his eyes and gazed into Jungkook's eyes.
"How can you touch me and not get burned? It's a mystery to me." Taehyung softly said.
"It's a mystery to you, but to me, it makes a lot of sense and I'm quite glad and honored that I'm the only one who can touch you like this." Jungkook said, making Taehyung blush once more.
The two stared at each other's eyes as they felt like they were being pulled closer to each other. The gap between them was getting shorter as they stared at each other's lips, when...
"Oppa! Aish, here I am carrying all these books and you two are in the middle of a secret rendezvous about to make out. In the library, really guys?" Yoo Jung teased.
Taehyung pulled away from Jungkook.
"W-what? W-We weren't about to make out. J-Jungkook was just kind enough to help me pick a book. Right, Kook?" Taehyung said, wanting to slap himself for stuttering too much.
Jungkook grinned, enjoying Tae's flustered look.
"Taeh's right." Jungkook said, deliberately giving the younger a nickname as he noticed how he called him by his.
"Wow, that escalated fast. Nicknames already? What's next? Babe? Honey? Love? Wolfie?..."
"YJ!" Taehyung snapped, glaring at Yoo Jung who was smirking.
"I'll stop if either of you help me with these books." Yoo Jung said, still smiling at the two.
"Hand them over." Jungkook said while wearing his backpack properly on his back so he could get all the books.
"Awww, he's such a gentle alpha, my oppa's so lucky." Yoo Jung said.
"Whatever! I'll meet you two downstairs." Taehyung said as he walked towards the elevator.
"Um, Yoo Jung, I don't mean to pry but, why is Taehyung using the handicap lift?" Jungkook asked as he and Yoo Jung walked down the stairs.
"My oppa has LLD. His left leg is shorter than his right because of a fracture. My eomma said that he fell from a slide when he was a toddler." Yoo Jung said.
"Oh, and it didn't heal by itself?" Jungkook asked.
"Because werewolves heal right?" Yoo Jung asked and Jungkook was taken aback and she saw his reaction and laughed.
"He told me about your conversation. I'm not gonna lie, I was originally dismissing that thought, but when I saw how his eyes changed in color when he removed the...." Yoo Jung suddenly stopped, realizing what she just said.
"You saw it?? And removed what?" Jungkook asked.
Yoo Jung panicked as she knew she said too much.
"Aish, my brother is right. You're quite easy to talk to. Forget what I said. I'll have oppa tell you everything once we've figured it all out." Yoo Jung said, walking ahead.
"Yoo Jung, come on you were already about to tell me." Jungkook said, catching up with her.
"Nope. Not gonna talk. It's better if you ask him straight yourself without telling him that I almost slipped. Anyway, Alpha Jeon, if I was a werewolf, what do you think I'd be?" Yoo Jung asked, changing the topic.
"Definitely an alpha. You're way too dominant to be a beta or an omega." Jungkook said.
"Cool. I think that I am — if I was one. I almost took down a male alpha earlier today." Yoo Jung said.
"What do you mean?" Jungkook asked.
"We bumped into a group of male alphas. I think one of them was named Kai. He gripped oppa's arm so I pushed him and he fell down hard." Yoo Jung said, laughing.
But she suddenly stopped when he heard Jungkook growl.
Yoo Jung looked at Jungkook and she saw the latter's eyes flickered red briefly. He looked mad.
"Are you okay? Your eyes..."
Jungkook placed the books on the table.
"I have to go, Yoo Jung. I'll see you later." Jungkook left, looking quite furious.
"Shit. He looked pissed." Yoo Jung said to herself.
"Who looked pissed?"
Yoo Jung turned around and found Taehyung standing behind her.
"Where's Jungkook?" Taehyung asked.
"Um, I think he went to go see that guy named Kai." Yoo Jung said.
"Huh? Why?" Taehyung asked.
"I told him about what happened earlier today."
Taehyung thought for a few seconds and then he remembered Jungkook telling him that he's a trueblood alpha. Having known one before, Taehyung knew how strong and mad they can get.
Something inside him told him to go find Jungkook.
"I have to follow him." Taehyung said as he handed the purple book to Yoo Jung.
"Borrow all those books and I'll meet you in our second period." Taehyung quickly said before storming out of the library.
"Oppa! Don't run!" Yoo Jung worriedly yelled which made students in the library shush her.
"Aish!" Yoo Jung grabbed all the books and brought them to the check out counter, hoping that nothing bad happens to her brother.
🔅🔅🔅🔅🔅🔅🔅🔅🔅🔅🔅🔅🔅🔅🔅🔅🔅
Taehyung walked as fast as he could but he was getting frustrated as he felt his lower back hurting already. This happens to him often since his weight would usually fall on just one leg. He was getting frustrated as he felt like he badly needed to find Jungkook fast. He ignored the pain and just kept going.
Since he wasn't familiar with the place yet, he really didn't know where to go, but he just relied on instinct and went wherever his feet decided to take him .
In just a few minutes, he heard a commotion at one of the hallways and a loud voice that made his heart race and spine tingle echoed in the area.
"You know the laws of our pack. We treat others with respect, regardless of their class and kind. You have been disobeying my orders for the longest time and you deserve to be punished." Jungkook yelled in his alpha voice.
The alpha was so mad as he caught Kai and his friends hitting an omega just because she accidentally bumped into Kai and spilled coffee on his shirt. Jungkook was just supposed to warn them not to touch Taehyung ever again, but the sight of them hurting an omega from their own pack brought him to the edge.
Meanwhile, Taehyung watched on the side, looking at Kai and his friends kneeling down in front of Jungkook.
"W-we're sorry alpha. We w-won't do it again. We beg for your forgiveness." Kai said.
"I've given you several chances already and this is the last straw. Yoongi and Hoseok hyung, take them back to the pack house. I'll deal with them later." Jungkook said.
"Yes, alpha." Yoongi and Hoseok said.
Jungkook walked towards the young omega who was being comforted by her friends.
"Are you okay, Minseo?" Jungkook softly said and the latter bowed her head."
"I'm okay alpha, thank you for your help." Minseo said.
"I'm really sorry for what they did. If only I punished them for their past transgressions, this wouldn't have happened." Jungkook said.
"No, you were just being fair, alpha. I understand and respect your judgement." Minseo said.
Taehyung moved closer to them and looked at the girl that Jungkook was talking to.
Wait, I've heard that name before….she looks so familiar. Taehyung mentally said. He stared at the girl until their eyes met. The girl's eyes widened.
"Taeh, oppa?" The girl said under her breath, but Jungkook heard her. He looked towards the direction where Minseo was looking and saw Taehyung staring back at her with furrowed brows.
Minseo realized that Taehyung might not remember her that easily as it's been more than ten years since they last saw each other. So, she did a silly gesture to make him remember…she formed two pig tails on her hair and smiled at Taehyung.
"Minnie?!" Taehyung shrieked and ran to her.
"Oppa!!" She ran to him too, but stopped when she noticed that Taeh was limping and suddenly stopped on his tracks. "Oppa, is everything alright?" She asked as she slowly approached Taehyung.
"Sorry, I want to hug you so bad but I can't. I'd end up hurting you." Taehyung said.
"Huh? What do you mean? We always hugged and slept beside each other when we were kids. And, why are you limping?" Minseo said.
"I-I c-can't remember. You said we hugged? Without me wearing gloves and long sleeves?" Taehyung asked, quite confused at the information.
"Oppa, why are you acting so weird? Of course without gloves and long sleeves. And, you didn't answer my question. What happened, why are you limping?" Minseo asked again.
"I was born this way, Minnie. I've had LLD most of my life." Taehyung said.
"Okay, now you're confusing me. Did I miss anything? Did you get into an accident when we were apart?" Minseo asked.
"No. Hold on. Everything's not making any sense at all. From what I just witnessed, it seemed like you're in a pack? You live with werewolves?" Taehyung asked.
"Of course I live in a pack AND WITH werewolves, what's with all these questions?" Minseo asked.
"But, you're human." Taehyung said.
Minseo laughed, but stopped when she noticed Taehyung's serious and confused look.
"You're serious? I thought you were joking." Minseo said.
Jungkook heard everything and he was getting anxious by the second so he decided to interrupt the two.
"Minseo, Taeh, you know each other?" Jungkook asked.
"Yes, alpha. We grew up together until they left our pack when he was 7, right oppa?" Minseo said but Taehyung didn't answer and just looked at her as if she was saying the most absurd thing he's ever heard.
"So, you're childhood friends?" Jungkook asked.
"No! We're…."
"Cousins….FIRST cousins. So, if you're a werewolf, auntie Go-Eun is one too?" Taehyung asked.
"Duh. Oppa, I am getting so scared with your line of questioning. Of course eomma is a werewolf, she's uncle Namjoon's sister after all." Minseo said.
"I-I have to go. I can't…sorry, I have to get out of here. E-excuse me." Taehyung said before running out of the campus.
"What the hell, oppa, wait!" Minseo shouted.
"I'll follow him. I have a favor to ask. Can you go to the library and see if Yoo Jung is still there? Tell her about what happened just now." Jungkook said.
"Oh, Yoo Jung unnie is here too?!" Minseo asked.
"Yes, now please go, I'll run after Taehyung." Jungkook said and Minseo nodded.
Jungkook ran to the direction where Taehyung ran off to and it was the way to the university garden grounds. He kept walking and looking around until he caught the younger's scent.
He followed the scent and eventually found Taehyung sitting inside one of the garden gazebos, crying.
"Taeh?" Jungkook said.
Taehyung looked at Jungkook and wiped his tears with the back of his hands.
"You found me yet again. Let me guess? It's my scent?" Taehyung asked with a sarcastic tone.
Jungkook simply nodded as he knew how frustrated and hurt Taehyung could be feeling at the moment.
"I don't understand. Why did my parents keep it from us? All these years, I've been living a lie." Taehyung said.
"Taeh, I know you feel bad…"
"No, Jungkook, you don't know. I've been living with a disability and this mark on my face for as long as I can remember. It was hellish for me. Knowing now that I didn't have to go through all the bullying and namecalling, I just feel so…betrayed." Taehyung said, trying to fight back the tears.
"Maybe there's a reason behind all of these. You should talk it out with your parents. You and your siblings." Jungkook softly said as his heart clenched, seeing Taehyung cry.
"I guess so, but, before I do, since you're a werewolf — and seems like a leader of some sort, you're an expert in spotting your kind right?" Taehyung said as he dried his eyes and composed himself.
"Something like that, yeah. Why?" Jungkook said, smiling at the younger.
Taehyung sighed and opened his bag. He took out his contact lens case and took his contacts off.
"Okay, here we go. Don't get freaked out okay?" Taehyung said and Jungkook nodded, internally dying of anticipation at what Taehyung was about to do.
Jungkook watched as Taehyung removed his contacts and placed them inside the container.
Taehyung looked at Jungkook and made his eyes bigger. "Normal, right?" He asked and Jungkook nodded.
Taehyung took his necklace off and placed it on the table away from him as he closed his eyes.
He opened his eyes and faced Jungkook once again.
Both Jungkook and Taehyung weren't prepared for what happened next.
Taehyung looked at him with purple eyes and clear face. He looked more stunning than he already was. Jungkook, gulped and was left speechless.
On top of that, JK started howling like crazy and kept on yelling in his head, Mate! Mate! It's you! It's really you.
Taehyung was shocked to his core.
Not only did he hear JK, but he suddenly heard another voice in his head that shouted, Finally! My mate! Can you hear me now?!
He also caught a new earthy, musky scent in the air that instantly got him addicted.
"I didn't see your lips move. That wasn't you. Did you hear the voices too or is it just me? Am I hearing things? Am I going crazy?" Taehyung rambled.
"Hey, calm down. You're not going crazy." Jungkook said as he reached for Taehyung's hands that were on the table across him. He almost jumped from his seat to hug the younger, but decided that holding his hands would do for now.
"The voices belong to our wolves. They're us, and they live inside us. My wolf's name is JK." Jungkook said.
My name's Tannie. Taehyung's wolf said.
"What? But, that was my first dog's name." Taehyung said and Tannie giggled.
You don't have to talk to me out loud, Taehyung. You can talk to me in your head without saying anything at all. And, Jungkook and his wolf will hear your every word.
I am so happy I can talk to you again. I've been cooped up inside you for years that I was so scared I'd turn mute
Now, to answer your question, I was your first dog, Taehyung. You used to look at yourself in the mirror when you transformed and you called me Tannie the first time you saw me. Tannie explained.
"I t-transformed? I could do that?! But, why can't I remember these things?" Taehyung said out loud, despite the fact that he was already told that he doesn't have to.
I think it's the he witch's spell. I'm pretty sure that if you stop wearing that necklace you'll eventually remember everything." Tannie said.
"Witch?" Taehyung asked.
Yes. Ask your appa and eomma about it. They know everything. Tannie said.
"May I see your necklace Taeh?" Jungkook asked and Taehyung nodded while looking at it.
Jungkook picked it up and examined it closely.
"It's wolf fang covered in silver." Jungkook said.
"Does it mean anything to you?" Taehyung asked.
"I'm not sure, but, silver is like cryptonite for us. It makes us weak. Pure silver can kill us if it gets mixed in our blood." Jungkook said before putting the necklace close to his nose. "It smells like wolfsbane too. A poisonous plant that can be deadly for us too."
"I don't think I want to wear that anymore." Taehyung said.
But, you have to Taehyung, for now. Best if you talk to your parents first and then decide whether you still want to wear it or not. Tannie said making Taehyung sigh.
"Okay, fine, but before I wear it again, I have one more question." Taehyung said.
"What is it?" Jungkook asked.
"What's the deal with the mate thing?" Taehyung asked.
"Um, well, in the werewolf world, there's this belief that each and every wolf has a destined partner…a fated mate. And, my "spidey sense" as you call it, tells me that you're my mate." Jungkook said.
"Oh, so like we have no choice or an out to it?" Taehyung asked and Jungkook was about to have a panic attack, but was prematurely stopped when Taehyung added,
"Not that I mind having you as mate, but it's more of a general question." Taehyung said as he blushed.
Jungkook smiled after hearing what Taeh said.
"Well, mates can reject each other. But, it's going to be mentally, emotionally and physically painful for both parties." Jungkook said.
"I see." Taehyung said.
"You're not going to reject me, I hope?" Jungkook said.
"Too early to tell, but so far, I'd say 70-30? Just because I still don't know you at all." Taehyung said.
"By 70-30 you mean, there's a higher chance that you'd reject me?" Jungkook nervously asked.
Taehyung looked at the older and shook his head. "More the other way around."
Jungkook breathed out a sigh of relief.
"70's good, for now. It's a passing grade." He said.
"We'll never know, you might be the one giving me a failing mark after getting to know me." Taehyung said.
"Not gonna happen." Jungkook said.
"Don't say something you might regret later on." Taehyung said.
"I'm a man of my word, Taehyung. So, I'll just have to work hard on that 30%" Jungkook said.
The two were suddenly interrupted by Taehyung's dinging phone so the latter took it out from his bag and read the message.
"It's YJ. I guess we should go back." Taehyung said as he quickly wore his contacts back and picked up the necklace from the table. He sighed before wearing it again.
Taehyung frowned all of a sudden.
"It's okay, Taeh. I'll make sure that no one would dare hurt you nor call you names." Jungkook said.
"Thanks, but it's not that." Taehyung said.
"What is it then?" Jungkook curiously asked.
"I can't smell your scent with this." Taehyung pointed at the necklace, picked up his bag and went on his way.
Jungkook chuckled as he felt giddy inside.
I think it just went up to 75-25. JK teased.
Oh shush, JK. I'm more worried about what will happen after he talks to his parents.
Whatever happens, we will be there for him.
I agree with you on that. Jungkook said before catching up with Taehyung.