The night at the club is coming to an end to the sound of The Rhythm of the Night. Silver confetti rains from the ceiling as the crowd jumps and sings the chorus at the top of their lungs—impossible not to know it by heart. Taehyung does the same, feeling a rush of euphoria he hasn't experienced in ages. So long, in fact, that he can't even recall the last time he felt this carefree, this light.

Sunwoo is amazing. He’s only known him for about an hour, so maybe it’s reckless to make such a bold statement, but he feels like he gets him, like he already knows what kind of guy he is. If Sunwoo hadn’t told him, if Taehyung hadn’t caught it from his scent, he would’ve struggled to believe he was an alpha. It seems almost impossible that someone like him could exist—someone he can dance with like this. Close, but never too much. In sync, but never crossing the line.

Taehyung had always thought alphas were biologically wired to see omegas as nothing more than holes to fuck and fill—objects rather than people. Temporary distractions to use and discard before moving on to the next. Just like Jungkook had done to him. So, being this close to someone who doesn’t seem to crave him so desperately that it clouds every other thought is… nice. Simply nice.

When Taehyung wraps his arms around Sunwoo’s neck, he knows it won’t change anything. They’ll keep dancing until their feet ache and their breaths burn in their throats. They’ll keep laughing and singing until their cheeks hurt. Sunwoo tightens his arms around Taehyung’s waist, their eyes meeting as they both repeat the chorus.

Just for a moment, Taehyung lets his gaze drift over the crowd.

His heart stops when he sees the way Jungkook is looking at him.

And so, Taehyung presses even closer to Sunwoo, resting his cheek against his. He closes his eyes.

And yet, even behind his eyelids, Jungkook’s dark eyes flash in his mind.

What does that look mean? How is he supposed to interpret it?

For a split second, it almost seemed like Jungkook was… judging him.

Fuck that, Taehyung thinks. He has nothing to feel guilty about.

He would’ve done anything for Jungkook, and yet he got discarded—no, not even that. Jungkook didn’t even bother to give him an excuse, a shred of explanation. He just changed, just like that, and Taehyung had to accept it. So why should he care about him or whatever he thinks?

He just wants to enjoy his night.

Jungkook can have his Yuta for all he cares.

***

The music fades away, dwindling into silence. People start leaving the party, and Taehyung and Sunwoo make their way toward the others near the club’s exit. Jimin and Jay are already there, with Jungkook and Yuta joining them shortly after. Jay and Sunwoo’s two human friends are also present, soon followed by the others Taehyung had met at the party—Jin and Hoseok.

"That was an amazing party," says the guy Taehyung is almost sure is named something like Yeseob.

"Sorry we lost you guys," Jimin whines. "Jay and I may have… slipped away for a bit at some point…"

"Too much information!" Jin squeaks in mock horror.

Hoseok, however, steps closer to Taehyung. "Hey, Tae. You good? Jimin told us what happened…"

Sunwoo furrows his brows, listening. Taehyung feels his cheeks grow a little warmer. "I’m better now, thanks…"

"Is that the scar?" Hoseok asks in surprise, pointing at it. Taehyung really wishes he hadn’t, because now his embarrassment only deepens.

"Uh… yeah…"

Jungkook drapes his arms around Hoseok’s shoulders, pressing a kiss to his cheek. "Hyung, how rude. You should never point out the scars of someone so… vulnerable."

Bastard, Taehyung thinks, a strange sensation creeping over him—like Jungkook is playing some kind of twisted game, but he can’t quite figure out the rules.

"Getting stabbed by an alpha must leave a deep mark. It must be so hard for him… to trust again."

Hoseok blinks rapidly. He senses something off in the air—probably Sunwoo does too. And yet, none of them could pinpoint exactly what it is.

It’s as if Jungkook is taking jabs at Taehyung just for the sake of it, without even having a clear goal—just pure, petty resentment.

"That happened to you?" Sunwoo asks, clearly surprised.

Taehyung wishes he could disappear into the floor.

"Guys, maybe now isn’t the best time to bring this up!" Jimin interjects, alarmed. "How about we go outside? Get some air?"

Everyone agrees, probably sensing the heavy tension lingering between the four of them. They start making their way toward the exit when Taehyung hears Yuta’s voice behind him:

"The need for dick must be stronger than the survival instinct. What can you do?"

He doesn’t even know how it happens. He doesn’t know why it happens. He doesn’t even know where this version of himself comes from. All he knows is that rage surges inside him so fast and so violently that before he can even process it, his fingers are tangled in Yuta’s hair, and he’s shoving him to the ground.

Adrenaline rushes through his veins, making his head spin. It’s intoxicating.

It’s the first time he’s ever laid hands on someone—his first real act of violence. For a fleeting moment, shame flickers inside him. He wonders what Sunwoo must think of him—but even that thought doesn’t calm him down.

Yuta has crossed every damn line.

The omega, stunned, touches his head and looks up at Taehyung with wide, terrified eyes, as if he’s just seen a ghost. It must be horrifying to be attacked by someone you underestimated, someone you thought was weak. It probably shifts your entire perspective.

"Try provoking me one more time, and I’ll break your fucking nose," Taehyung threatens. Everything about him—the steel in his voice, the way his fist tightens, the way his bicep tenses—screams that he means it.

Yuta lets out a shaky breath, his whole body trembling.

"Hey, hey!" Jungkook steps in, grabbing Taehyung by the shoulders, forcing him to meet his gaze. "Calm down. Just breathe, okay? He’s an asshole. That’s just who he is. Don’t lose your head over him. Don’t do this. Breathe."

Taehyung hates him.

He hates how Jungkook suddenly wants to play the caring one. He hates the way he’s looking into his eyes, speaking in that calm, understanding voice—like he actually gives a damn—when just minutes ago, he was throwing him to the wolves, using his trauma to humiliate him.

He’s fake. He’s an opportunist. But more than anything—

Jungkook is an asshole.

Taehyung yanks himself away from his touch like it burns.

"Don't touch me," he murmurs, not even looking him in the eyes. He refuses to. He knows that if he does, all the hatred boiling inside him will crumble in an instant—because it’s Jungkook. Because he can’t hate him. Not really.

His scent is messing with his head again…

"Let’s go," Sunwoo steps in. His touch is gentle. His fingers brush against Taehyung’s arm, his wrist, before finally lacing together with his. He must be confused—he probably has no clue what just happened—but he still stands by Taehyung. Even after watching him grab someone by the throat and throw them to the ground.

"Let’s go outside. Just leave them."

And that’s when Jungkook snaps.

Something shifts in him—like a switch flipping. Like a reminder flashing through his mind, telling him just how fucking annoying Sunwoo is. He jabs a finger in his direction, growling, "Who the fuck do you think you are to tell him that? Actually, who the fuck are you, period? Get lost."

"Stay in your lane," Sunwoo says, unfazed. "Taehyung was having a great night before you two showed up. Do you really think you’re the best person to be by his side right now?" His gaze flickers toward Yuta, who is still getting up from the floor. "At least help your boyfriend. Or is acting tough with me more important?"

Taehyung really thinks Jungkook is about to throw a punch, so he grabs Sunwoo’s hand and squeezes it tightly.

"Let’s go," he says, curtly.

And before anyone can say another word, he pulls Sunwoo out of the club.

"Fuck," Jungkook mutters.

The club door swings shut behind them, and Taehyung feels… wrecked. Shame floods through him so intensely that he doesn’t even know where to start processing it. He presses his hands against his face, taking deep breaths.

"Hey. Hey—it's okay. But put your jacket on, alright? It's way too cold to be standing around with your stomach exposed."

Taehyung nods, slipping on his leather jacket before glancing at Sunwoo with guilt in his eyes.

"I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault."

"I attacked that guy."

"We all heard what he said."

"That doesn't justify what I did."

"You're right. But he provoked you first. Don’t overthink it, okay?"

Taehyung nods again. One by one, the others start filtering out of the club. The air is thick with awkwardness, almost unbearable. Jimin glances between Jay and Taehyung, quickly picking up on the fact that maybe Taehyung wants to go somewhere—alone. And after all that just happened, there’s no way Jungkook is the one taking him home tonight.

Suddenly, on top of feeling humiliated, embarrassed, and wounded, Taehyung feels like a burden.

"Do you wanna go grab a drink?" Sunwoo asks, out of nowhere.

Taehyung isn’t sure if he picked up on his thoughts or if it’s just a coincidence, but either way, he’s grateful. Sunwoo speaks in a low voice, making sure no one else can hear. Taehyung's eyes widen in surprise, but then he nods.

"Yes. Please, yes."

Sunwoo lets out a quiet chuckle and slings an arm around Taehyung’s shoulders. Then he turns to the others—mainly Jimin and Jay—and says, "Tonight was incredible. Thanks for inviting me. If there's nothing else planned, Taehyung and I will be heading out…"

Jimin lights up instantly. Literally—his eyes practically turn into hearts. He glances at Taehyung and winks.

"Oh, no problem at all."

Jungkook mutters something and yanks Yuta away without even saying goodbye to the others. Taehyung watches them as they make their way to Jungkook’s car, feeling something stir inside him. On one hand, part of him enjoys it, but on the other, he feels sick. He wants to run to Jungkook and talk to him. He wants to understand his reactions. If they confronted each other now, would Jungkook tell him the truth? Would he explain why he’s so annoyed, why he’s pulled away, would he be honest about what he feels?

These are questions that will never have answers. He grips Sunwoo's hand tighter as he lowers his gaze. The roar of Jungkook's car fills the silence.

It’s not fair. It’s not fair that Jungkook is playing with his feelings like this.

Why is Jungkook doing it?

Why?

─── ⋆⋅☆·⋆ ──

Early Access available on my Patreon 

p a t r e o n . c o m / r a n s i e 

─── ⋆⋅☆·⋆ ──