Against her skin. His obedience sent heat rushing to her cheeks, but her heart... her heart swelled.
The world feared the beast inside him. But for her, he wasn't a monster. He was like a wounded child-one who only wanted to be seen, to be soothed, to be loved.
He never forced her.
Even in the heat of rut, he always asked permission.Always waited for her to yield.
And in that moment, the truth clawed free from where she'd buried it all these years.
She was falling in love with him. Not the Crown Prince. Not the cold heir to the dynasty.
But the Alpha inside him. The beast the world feared.
She tapped his shoulder gently. He stirred, lifting his face from where he'd been buried in her scent gland, drinking her in like oxygen.
Confusion flickered across his features at her touch.
She gestured softly, urging him closer. Without hesitation, he obeyed.
And then she cupped his face, lips crashing into his with desperate need.
She didn't know if he was the Alpha or the Crown Prince in that moment.
Didn't care. All she knew was that she was done holding back. She poured everything she'd hidden into the kiss-her anger, her sadness, her longing.
She bit and tugged at his lower lip, sucking hard until her chest burned, until her body shook.
But when his hand tightened bruising around her ribs, forcing her lips apart, a gasp broke free.
And then he kissed her back with fire-his hunger, his fury, his claim searing against her mouth until she was lost in him completely.
And for the first time, she welcomed it.
Her Alpha.
Yn:The kiss devoured me whole, his mouth claiming every inch until my lungs screamed for air.
At last, I broke away, gasping, chest heaving. His eyes snapped open, dark and sharp, fixed on me as though demanding-
Why did you stop?
I stared at him, disbelief curdling in my chest. Does he want me to die from a mere kiss?
"I... I'm out of breath," I muttered, voice low, almost embarrassed.
He shifted, as though ready to rise, to leave me-but panic clawed at me.
My fingers caught his hand and dragged him back down, the knot still binding us together, trembling my legs with every small movement.
He stilled, eyes locked on mine without a blink. Shock? Anger? I couldn't tell. I didn't care anymore.
Yn:"No," I whispered, firm. "Stay knotted."
His actions halted. For one second, something passed over his face, unreadable.
Then he composed himself and spoke, voice low and restrained.
Jungkook: "I have to go to court... before they notice my absence."
Yn:A hollow laugh slipped out of me before I could stop it.
"Hoo..." That was all I said. The word carried everything-hurt, disbelief, emptiness.
but I think for a second and I opened my arms wide in silent acceptance, eyes drifting toward the heavy wooden door. He understood.
Of course he did. His gaze lingered for a heartbeat, and then, with a swift motion, he pulled me into his lap.
A soft gasp escaped me. I clutched at his shoulders as my legs trembled, barely holding.
Before I could slip, his strong hands guided me, wrapping my thighs around his torso. The shift in position drove him deeper, made the knot press harder, and my breath stuttered, ragged.
We stared at each other, breaths mingling, falling into the same rhythm. Then, still bare and still connected, he stood.
My arms wound around his neck, my eyes never leaving his face, even as a shiver raced down my spine when cool water touched my skin.
He sat in the bathing corner, me still in his lap. One hand pressed to my back, steadying me.
Neither of us spoke.
I dipped my hand into the basin, scooping up herbal paste. My palms smoothed it gently across his chest, down his arms, across the hard planes of his body.
And when I glanced up, my breath caught-he was doing the same for me. My lips curved in a small, secret smile.
I bent my head, focusing on the work, but inside, warmth unfurled.
Later, when the knot finally released, I felt an emptiness so sharp it almost made me ache.
I swayed on unsteady legs, knees buckling. His hand shot out, strong at my waist, catching me.
"I... I think I can't walk alone," I admitted softly, shame curling my words.
He didn't answer.
Just guided me, steady as stone, helping me into my clothes. I stole glances as he dressed in silence, and for one fragile moment, it felt... normal.
Almost tender.
The moment shattered with a knock at the door.
Guard (outside): "Your Highness! The court awaits your presence! His Majesty is waiting!"
Yn:My blood froze. Breath hitched. So he wasn't lying.
Jungkook: "I am coming," he called back, his tone flat.
Yn:He turned to leave, but my instinct won over reason-I grabbed his hand. He paused, eyes flicking down to where my fingers clung to him
Heat rushed to my cheeks. "Sorry," I whispered, releasing him..But he said nothing.No expression, no words. He simply walked out.
Time skip:
Mari brought me food, which I picked at absently. My thoughts were still tangled in him when the door opened again.
Ari stepped in, her eyes sweeping over me-up, down, sharp, questioning.
I frowned. "Why are you looking at me like that? Everyone already knows what happened here."
Ari: "Nothing happened to you, right?"
Yn:Confusion knotted my brows. "What do you mean?"
Ari:She hesitated, then her voice dropped.
"Last night... we heard your shouting. It was horrible. Like someone was killing someone brutally."
Yn:I froze. "You-everyone heard?"
Ari:She nodded grimly. "Everyone. Including Luna. And His Majesty. At the dining table."
Yn:My eyes flew wide. Heat rushed to my face. "But we just-"
Ari:"Stop," she cut me off, face twisting. "I don't want to hear your private matters. You may have no shame, but I do."
Yn:My chest burned. "Shut up," I snapped, glaring.
But she didn't stop.
Ari:"You're falling for him again, aren't you? Did you notice?"
Her words struck like a knife. I turned away, but the truth clawed its way out of me, bitter and raw.
Yn:"When did I ever stop, Ari?"
She gasped softly. Not in shock, but in something deeper. Acceptance.