Chapter 29: The Shadow in the Bushes

Taehyung, his heart still pounding from the unexpected encounter, watched as Jungkook slammed the cabin door shut. The Alpha's sudden action had left him bewildered, a knot of confusion tightening in his chest. He couldn't see the person Jungkook had been talking to, the Alpha's broad frame blocking his view.

"What was that for, Jungkook?" he asked, his voice laced with confusion.

Jungkook, with a disarming smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, brushed off Taehyung's concern. "Oh, that? It's nothing," he assured him, his tone a touch too casual.

"But, it was a person, though," Taehyung persisted, his confusion deepening. The Alpha's dismissiveness felt odd and out of character.

"She was just lost, asking for directions," Jungkook explained, his tone dismissive, his eyes darting away from Taehyung's gaze. "Don't mind her, it's not important."

Taehyung, unsure but trusting Jungkook, simply mumbled, "I see..." He wasn't convinced, but he chose to believe the Alpha, his mind already weary from the day's events.

"Just go to sleep, you need rest. What happened today seemed to exhaust you," Jungkook said, his voice softening, his hand gently reaching out to touch Taehyung's arm. "I'll be here for the night."

"Okay, I'll sleep now. Good night, Jungkookie," Taehyung smiled, retreating to his bed, his anxieties momentarily forgotten.

Jungkook watched him disappear, then ran his fingers through his hair, a troubled expression clouding his features. The smile he had worn for Taehyung vanished, replaced by a tense, almost predatory look. Releasing his pheromones, he left the cabin, his eyes scanning the surrounding darkness, particularly the shadows of the bushes. The scent of pine and damp earth mingled with the lingering scent of Jungkook's pheromones, a potent mix that sent a shiver down Taehyung's spine.

As he turned to re-enter the cabin, a figure emerged from the bushes, prompting Jungkook to spring back into the shadows. The figure, a man, was dressed in dark clothing, his face hidden by the shadows. He attempted to flee, but Jungkook was too quick. He grabbed the man's arm, throwing him to the ground with a thud. The man hissed in pain, turning to face his attacker. Jungkook, with a swift movement, stepped on the man's neck, cutting off his air supply.

"Who are you?" Jungkook demanded, his voice cold and hard, his foot pressing down with increasing force. "I'm asking who you are!" he repeated, his anger rising, his voice laced with a dangerous edge. He then kicked the man in the stomach, eliciting a pained groan.

Crouching down, Jungkook grabbed the man's collar, forcing him to sit up. "Don't you hear what I say?" he snarled, his eyes burning into the man's, his face a mask of fury.

"Y...you," the man stammered, his voice strained. "You're the one who killed Minato!" he growled, struggling against Jungkook's grip.

"Minato? Who was that?" Jungkook sneered, his face devoid of any remorse.

"The one who took a picture of you and that omega in a restaurant!" the man spat, his frustration evident.

"Ah, now that you mention it, there was a useless asshole who took pictures of me and my mate while we were having dinner. Unfortunately for him, I caught him," Jungkook smirked, a chilling amusement in his eyes.

"Shut up!" the man yelled, his face contorted with rage. "You didn't need to kill him! Are you afraid people will find out about your façade? The kindest and greatest Alpha? None of it was true!"

"It doesn't matter whether he reveals it or not. But you see, I couldn't help but get rid of someone invading my privacy. Besides, my mate was uncomfortable with his presence. Obviously, I had to make sure it wouldn't happen again," Jungkook said, his voice dripping with menace. His words were a chilling confirmation of the man's fears.

"Do you really think people wouldn't find out about this? I've told my boss, that if I were to disappear, you were the one to blame. Hahaha!" the man laughed, trying to turn the tables, his voice laced with desperate bravado.

"Oh really? That's good then. That means you're prepared to die," Jungkook grinned, his eyes glinting with a cold, calculating light. His words were a death sentence, delivered with a chilling nonchalance.

"What? You're really going to kill me? Do it, and let's see who will have their name ruined!" the man challenged, his voice trembling with fear.

"Of course, I would. After all, it seems you're ready to meet that Minato person. That's why I'll put you to sleep..." Jungkook's hand covered the man's entire face. "Forever," he whispered, smashing the man's head against the ground, silencing his desperate struggles. The sound of the impact echoed through the night, a chilling testament to Jungkook's ruthlessness.

Taehyung, unable to shake off a growing sense of unease, tossed and turned in his bed. He couldn't sleep. Something felt wrong, a nagging feeling he couldn't ignore. He sat up, letting out a heavy sigh. Maybe he should drink some cold water, he thought, trying to distract himself from the growing unease that was creeping into his heart.

He went downstairs, drawn to the kitchen, but his instinct urged him to go outside. Hesitantly, he followed his intuition, approaching the door. He was startled when it swung open, revealing Jungkook standing in the doorway, his face a mask of calm.

"Oh my gosh, Jungkook, you startled me," Taehyung exclaimed, his heart pounding in his chest.

"What are you doing? Aren't you supposed to be sleeping?" Jungkook asked, closing the door behind him, his gaze unwavering.

"Well, I couldn't sleep. I thought I should drink water," Taehyung mumbled, his voice still shaky.

"The kitchen is over there, not here," Jungkook pointed out, his gaze unwavering.

"Oh, uh, I felt something was off outside, so I thought I should check it out. And I'm glad it was just you," Taehyung responded, rubbing the back of his neck, feeling a little foolish.

"It was nothing. I checked it out already, and I can assure you, everything was fine," Jungkook said, patting Taehyung's back and urging him to go back inside.

"I see," Taehyung followed Jungkook, but he couldn't help but glance back at the door, his unease lingering. Maybe his instinct was wrong, he thought, trying to convince himself.

"Don't look back, mind your own business. You'll get more uncomfortable if you think something creepy," Jungkook said, leading Taehyung to the kitchen. He poured cold water into a glass for Taehyung, his movements smooth and controlled.

However, Taehyung failed to notice the bloody, unconscious man lying on the ground. Jungkook, with a chillingly calm demeanor, had yet to clean up the mess, leaving a silent testament to the violence that had unfolded. The scent of blood mingled with the pine and damp earth, a grim reminder of the darkness that lurked beneath the surface.