Chapter 2: The Silent Chase

The morning after the dinner, the sun rose over Seoul not with warmth, but with a harsh, glaring brightness that did nothing to ease Taehyung’s pounding headache.

He stood in front of the full-length mirror in his bedroom, his fingers trembling as he adjusted the collar of his university uniform. As a fresher at Seoul National University, he usually felt a small sense of pride wearing the elegant navy blue blazer. Today, however, he felt like he was putting on a shroud.

His skin was pale, the dark circles under his eyes prominent despite his mother’s attempts to put a touch of brightening cream on him before he left. His fragile health always acted up when he was stressed, and right now, his body felt heavy, his lungs tight.

"Tae-ah? Are you ready? Hoseok is waiting in the car," Jin’s soft voice came through the door before it opened.

Jin walked in, wearing a casual yet expensive oversized sage-green sweater and dark trousers, his hair pushed back softly. He was holding a small thermal flask. Seeing his little brother’s pale face, Jin’s expression instantly softened into deep, maternal worry. He closed the distance between them, putting a warm hand against Taehyung’s forehead.

"You’re warm, sweetie. Are you sure you want to go to campus today? I can tell Mom you’re not feeling well," Jin murmured, his thumb gently wiping away a stray hair from Taehyung’s eyes. The sibling bond between them was fierce; Jin had practically raised Taehyung during the years their parents were building the global foundations of Mirae Softworks.

"I have to go, hyung," Taehyung whispered, his voice small and raspy. "I missed two lectures last week because of my anemia. If I miss more, the professor won't let me sit for the midterms."

Jin sighed, unscrewing the flask and handing it to him. "Drink this. It’s warm ginseng and honey tea. I made it myself this morning. And don't walk too fast, okay? If you feel dizzy, you call me or Hoseok immediately."

"Thank you, hyung," Taehyung said, taking a slow sip. The warmth bloomed in his chest, making him feel a fraction safer. He loved his brothers so much. Jin was his anchor, Hoseok was his joy, and Jimin was his shield.

Ten minutes later, Taehyung was riding in the passenger seat of Hoseok’s sleek white sedan. Hoseok was driving, his usual bright energy slightly muted as he navigated the morning traffic. He kept glancing at his youngest brother.

"Hey, Tae," Hoseok said gently, his fingers tapping the steering wheel. "If that Jeon kid... the youngest one, Jungkook... if he looks at you like that again, you tell me. I don't care if his dad is a billionaire. I’ll throw a laptop at his head."

Taehyung forced a small, weak smile. "I'm okay, Hoseok-hyung. He was just... looking. Maybe he’s just naturally scary."

"He’s a freak," Hoseok grunted, his alpha protective instincts rising. "The whole Jeon family is intense. Except maybe the second son, Yoongi, he seems to just want to sleep. But the rest of them? Corporate sharks. And that girl, IU..." Hoseok’s jaw clenched, his mind briefly flashing to the memory of her high heel crushing his foot the previous night. "She’s a menace."

"You two always fight," Taehyung murmured, looking out the window.

"Because she starts it!" Hoseok defended himself, though a strange, unbidden flush crept up his neck. "Anyway, we're here. Remember, stay in well-lit areas, drink your tea, and don't push yourself."

Taehyung nodded, grabbing his backpack. He stepped out into the bustling courtyard of the university campus. The sea of students gave him a sense of anonymity that he desperately craved. He blended into the crowd, walking slowly toward the arts and business quadrangle.

He managed to get through his first two lectures, his pen scratching furiously against his notebook, though his mind kept drifting back to the terrifying, pitch-black eyes of Jeon Jungkook. Every time he heard a deep voice in the hallway, his heart skipped a beat.

By lunchtime, Taehyung’s body was exhausted. He decided to skip the crowded cafeteria and walked toward the quiet, shaded courtyard near the old campus library. It was a beautiful, secluded spot with stone benches and blooming white acacia trees.

He sat down on a bench, pulling out his phone to check his schedule.

Suddenly, his phone buzzed. A text message from an unknown, unlisted number.

Taehyung unlocked the screen.

Unknown: You shouldn't sit on the stone benches when the weather is this chilly, my sweet omega. Your health is too fragile to be careless.

Taehyung’s breath caught in his throat. He froze, his eyes widening as he read the words again and again. His hands began to shake violently. He looked around the courtyard, his chest heaving. The courtyard was mostly empty, save for a few students studying far away under the trees.

Who was watching him? How did they know he was here? How did they know about his health?

Before he could process the fear, another text buzzed.

Unknown: Look up, Taehyung-ah.

Slowly, like a puppet pulled by terrifying strings, Taehyung raised his head.

Standing on the steps of the grand library, just fifty yards away, was a tall, imposing figure.

It was Jeon Jungkook.

He wasn't in his university clothes, even though he was technically registered as a senior in the business department. He wore a long, expensive black wool coat that flowed around his ankles, structured dark trousers, and heavy combat boots. His hands were buried deep in his pockets, his posture relaxed, dangerous, and completely commanding.

He was staring directly at Taehyung. Even from this distance, the sheer intensity of his obsessive gaze made Taehyung feel like he was being physically suffocated.

Jungkook raised one hand from his pocket, holding a modern smartphone. He tapped the screen once.

Taehyung’s phone buzzed in his lap.

Unknown: You look so beautiful when you’re scared, but I don't like seeing you tremble. Go inside where it’s warm. I'll be watching.

Taehyung let out a small, terrified sob. He stood up so fast his vision went completely black for a terrifying second, his anemia kicking in. He stumbled, gripping the edge of the stone bench to keep from collapsing.

When his vision cleared, he looked back toward the library steps.

Jungkook was gone.

Taehyung didn't think. He grabbed his bag, tears finally spilling over his eyelashes, and ran as fast as his weak legs could carry him toward the safety of the main building, his heart screaming in sheer, unadulterated terror.

Thank you for reading 😘

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