JIN POV:

To be the eldest mate and to see my younger mates made me feel sick, worthless. It made me more than eager to spend time with Chul whilst the others were out or busy. It made me grow to relish the look of fear that flickered into his otherwise empty eyes when I entered. It made me bitterly happy to see how he'd try to shrink back even if he was paralysed, eyes widening and lips straining and struggling to move.

It made me feel vicious, made me careless for whether I'd become a monster in the process.

Sometimes you could only fight fire with fire, and perhaps I needed to lower myself to become a monster to be near Chul.

But if I became one and at the end of the day my mates never had to set their sights on this pathetic thing that was whimpering in front of me, then I didn't care.

But even with every scream that tore out of his ragged throat, with every droplet of sweat that rolls down his clammy skin, with every tear that spills over without consent I feel pleased.

Even if a part of me twists in disgust, even if my hands remain unsoiled with blood, without the vile liquid that is his essence- I can feel the phantom stickiness, can feel how liberally my hands would be coated.

And even with every moment of pain, with every day I go to see him- I come back to try and clean myself of the deeds. Try to leave every single emotion of anger, resentment, hatred, and bitterness beyond the wards of our nest. To remove the exterior, the hard-impenetrable mask of Kim Seokjin, vampire of centuries, to Jin...just Jin, their mate.

And despite how hard I'd thought it would be to forgive myself, expecting to be swamped in guilt, with nightmares- it's almost frightening just how easily Chul leaves my mind and how quickly it becomes occupied with my seven mates, with seeing them in different parts of the house, being with each other, all upto their own tasks and yet connected.

It's easy to forget when the others have knowing looks, when one or the other will come to me at some point and seek out details, ravenously taking them up as if they're tender morsels offered to them in the form of information, detail. And to see the way the anger flickers out their eyes when they hear that Chul is most definitely paying

It's easy to forgive when Yoongi mumbles thank you's against my skin as he nestles himself in my arms and splays on top of me, pressing kisses across my collarbones and neck. It's easy when Jiminie and Tae tag-team to shower me with their affection and thanks, fangs scraping teasingly but words sincere and earnest, eyes flickering with silent gratitude for being the protector. It's easy when Kookie, the most tender and soft-hearted of all of us before (Y/N) claimed equal rights on that, tells me just how much of an energy rush he gets when he sees me all fierce and protective and kisses me breathless. It's easy when Joon calmly discusses with Hobi what sort of plants could paralyse Chul and whether it'll be a better alternative to Tae's venom as they lie on either side of me, hands joined over my stomach. And Hobi replying nonchalantly, as if he hasn't been using his healing abilities only to restore Chul back to prime health so the vicious cycle of pain and punishment can begin again.

It's easy when I see (Y/N) trying so hard to heal, dutifully taking tonics, allowing Hobi to regularly check her neck at the most random of times- be it as she steps into the kitchen, is about to leave, or when she's been cuddling, or playing with the maknaes. And when she allows Joonie to guide her down onto her lap to apply herbal pastes to her throat, bruising lessening day by day. And I know I've done good when she cuddles on my lap and whispers her thanks into my ear, confiding she's getting better quick so she can be there for Yoongi.

Because it all makes me realise that I'm not a monster. Not when my actions are bringing about happiness to them, when they are healing because of them. Not when Chul is only being tormented for what he's done to my mates. Not when I'm doing what the laws allow me to, when I'm doing what I'm permitted to. Not when he himself has violated endless treaties, laws, and rights, violating lives and ruining families heartlessly.

Not when after a few days, a day after (Y/N)'s throat has cleared up of all the bruising beautifully, that Yoongi turns, dishes slipping out of his hands to plummet into the sink, sending soap suds and warm water splashing upwards, eyes burning red with determination as he turns, washing gloves still clad on his hands, sleeves pushed up to his elbow.

"I want to see Chul, and I want to make him pay." He says.

There's a silence that descends onto the kitchen, where everyone freezes and turns slowly to face him. I sense a flurry of emotions flood the bond and brace myself for whatever could happen next.

But (Y/N) turns from where she'd been placing containers back into the fridge, insisting through giggles that she didn't need to picked up by Tae to reach the top shelves, and taps at Tae's shoulders for him to let her down.

He does so, almost as if not registering what he's doing, eyes looking too occupied and caught on Yoongi to say anything, hands automatically coming to wound around the mate in his arms, holding her towards him.

"Okay. I'm coming too." She says firmly, voice soft and yet brooking no argument.

The tension is eased, pride and determination and unwavering strength that comes in the form of love wraps around all of us, winding through the bond with brightness, making me unconsciously relax.

Yoongi has come to want to confront the biggest obstacle in his life, he wants to remove the hurdle blocking happiness off from him. And of course I'll be there every step of the way to support him, to make that happen.

He deserves it. Happiness. Closure. Freedom.

And as his eldest mate it would be my biggest joy to give it to him.

----

I don't know whether to be proud or slightly worried that when we step into the padded cell the next time it's as a coven. Don't know what to truly make of the cool blank expression on Yoongi's face, the deadness and darkness that whirls in his soft welcoming eyes and turns them to slithers of dark ice. Don't know what to make of the way the bond is suddenly imbued with feelings of detachment, of forceful calm and of bottled rage and hate.

Do I go with the instinct that tells me to take them all away and come back to end Chul, to put an end to the filth? Or do I go with the other instinct that whispers this is what's right, this is what their right is even if it makes me hover protectively even as I glare down at Chul.

The second one wins out.

Because before Yoongi was mine, before I knew he was my mate- he was trapped and tormented first. He was made into a doll. A puppet. And now it was finally time for him to cut himself free of those strings that had manipulated him for so long.

Before (Y/N) was ours, before she was turned she was human. And her life was torn away from her, the scars that would remain on her body attested to the brutality of the fact.

So above all they deserve it.

They deserve to have every right to tear him apart slowly and make him beg for death, to beg for that mercy.

And I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel vindictively pleased at the thought.

Not so much at them ripping him apart but more that they were taking their lives back, they were taking back what was theirs and theirs alone.

(Y/N) POV:

I don't feel an ounce of fear when I enter this time. Because this time the presence of all of my mates soothes and settles me in a way I hadn't know I'd needed until I consciously realise that my posture is light and my heart doesn't squeeze in panic, that my emotions don't skyrocket at being in his line of vision once more.

This time I feel only the need to be there for Yoongi oppa, feel that this is what matters.

But when he opens his mouth, when Chul's vile tongue comes into view, licking at his lips before he speaks, I feel disgusted, I feel the urge to rip his tongue out myself.

And maybe I would've if I wasn't so repulsed by the idea of touching him.

And I would've done it if Minnie hadn't stormed forward, not even a sound as he grabs his jaw and glares at him.

"Not one word. Or I promise I'll rip your tongue out." He says, voice tight- close to the guttural vicious growl I'd heard the last time I was hear.

He flings Chul's head away as if repulsed by it being near him before retreating slightly, eyes burning holes into him and glowering silently.

I guess the sight had been enough of a final push at his buttons, at ripping the control away.

We all were at the last tethers of our restraint.

There wasn't any mercy left for him.

But Yoongi oppa steps forward, lips twisting up in a sweet smile. Soft. And had it not been for the icy unfeeling eyes any onlooker could've been fooled.

And yet Chul still was.

Smiling back in response, eagerly trying to shift closer to him as he steps closer.

"Chul...ah no. Kang-Dae sounds better, easier on the tongue." He says, clicking his tongue at himself.

Chul's face twitches, lips turning into a smile, eyes glittering as he peers up at Yoongi oppa as if he is his saviour, his light, his answer to every prayer whilst he festered away here.

But then Yoongi oppa gives another shake of his head.

"Sorry I forgot. You liked the term Master better didn't you. Or hyung when you felt particularly soft." He remarks, voice calm and gentle as if fondly reminiscing good times rather than adding fuel to the fire that courses through our veins.

Master. Disgusting vile beast.

I see Kookie glare, shifting closer to the nearest mate who happens to be Tae, who looks equally perturbed and angry as he wraps an arm around his waist and keeps him close, looking a hairbreadth away from trying to physically shield the sight of Chul from Kookie's eyes.

But I know Kookie had payed a visit, had seen him come home as he'd immediately sought me out and told me, curled up together on the couch as he soothed his instincts and breathed in my scent in deep gulps.

Chul nods.

"That's what we were...what we are. Master and doll right?" he asks, voice bright.

And I truly wonder how blind and how oblivious and far gone is he in his obsession that he truly thinks he has a chance. That he'll ever have a chance to even come closer to oppa than where he is now, tied to the chair.

"You liked me being your pretty doll, you liked my pretty neck didn't you. Liked decorating it with all sorts. Bruises, cuts, chains, collars." Yoongi oppa says, a bit of bitterness seeping through the sickly-sweet voice, his own large hand coming to wrap around Chul's throat, just resting there for now.

Chul nods.

"The sweetest prettiest doll ever." He blabbers, seeming delirious with the touch, pupils dilating with lust and obsession.

And with that admission, Yoongi oppa's fingers dig in, merciless and tight as he squeezes, gripping it in a vice grip, even as Chul gasps, splutters to be let go, wheezing shuddering words that become incomprehensible sounds.

And then a snap, echoing through the cell, the sound loud in the silence, the sound so minute and yet so vast at the same time.

And when Yoongi oppa lets go of his neck, it lolls backwards, awkwardly to the side, limp.

His eyes are wide with shock and pain.

Yoongi oppa just snapped his neck.

But I know it'll take more than that for Chul to end, for him to die.

Especially when Hobi oppa tends to it, dulling the synapses from registering the pain.

"Oh sorry. Didn't realise that you didn't like your own neck played with, it was mine only. Especially when you liked painting your name into my skin with my blood, right Master?" he says, voice coming out in a poisoned vehement hiss, fangs exposed as he growls down at him.

It makes the bond thrum and burn with anger, with hate as more and more of Yoongi oppa's past comes out.

It makes me swipe furiously at my cheeks, scrubbing at my eyes. I won't cry. I won't show weakness in front of Chul, never again.

"But Yoongi-ah, we've been together for so long." He garbles.

"So it's right that I make you pay for each and every moment." he grouses back.

Chul's pain-filled glossy eyes turn to me, disgust in them. No doubt blaming me.

"I should've drained you dry as a baby. Then this wouldn't be happening." He says slowly, voice punctuated with pain and vengeful hate.

"It would've happened because you don't deserve to exist Chul." I say, shrugging my shoulders at him.

He writhes in the invisible bounds of warded magic that keeps him tethered and unable to escape the chair.

"You filthy lowlife piece of—" he snarls.

But his voice gets cut off, a gurgled sound of a wet shriek.

And then there's a wet small smack as something falls to the floor.

A pale red slimy appendage wet and slightly splattered with crimson blood.

His tongue.

And the sight makes me both gag and want to hurl, and yet my eyes can't tear away.

Maybe Chul had taken away my humanity with him.

In ways more than one.

(THERE YOU GO! THE VIOLENT END TO CHUL HAS BEGUN! AND AGAIN I AM EXTREMELY SORRY IF THE VIOLENCE IS TRIGGERING, UPSETTING OR SICKENING TO READ- PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SKIP IF THERE'S ANYONE WHO'S SENSITIVE TO SUCH MATTERS. BUT PLEASE ALSO DO KNOW THAT I WILL BE MAKING IT A VIOLENT END FOR CHUL AND I CAN'T TAKE THAT BACK, NOT WHEN WE'RE ALL DESPERATE FOR IT TO FINALLY END!! AND WHAT ELSE? HMM...WHO DO YOU RECKON RIPPED HIS TONGUE OUT? ALSO FOR JINNIE! I DON'T WANT HIM TO BE READ AS SOMEONE DESENSITISED TO VIOLENCE, HE'S NOWHERE NEAR HEARTLESS! HE CARES AND HURTS! AND HE FORGIVES HIMSELF WHEN HIS MATES ARE HEALING, HE IS THE SWEETEST! SO NO HATE FOR HIM! HMM...I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYTHING ELSE- CHUL WILL BE GONE BY THE END OF THE NEXT CHAPTER AND THEN BEGIN THE HEALING, THE MEETING OF PARENTS AND THE MATING!! BUT THIS FIC IS FAAAR FROM OVER SO DON'T STRESS MY DEARS! LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS, TAKE CARE AND STAY SAFE!!)

The cycle of life isn't necessarily one that becomes easier to bear the brunt of with the passing of time. With life comes death, with death comes life. Life is a blessing, a gift, a beauty. And death is an inevitability, a conclusion of a life lived. Maybe it goes to show that nature has a system of give and take, maybe it's to show that with happiness there's grief, that where there's light, there's shadows too. Life is full of opposites. But don't let it bring you down. Use this to remember that when you're down that an up will also come.

Borahae! 💜💜💜

PurpleQueenie <3

I've started a new book! But this will only be regularly updated once BB ends- but that's not for some time, so this'll be updated quite irregularly until then!