Driven by Donghyun's words and his own doubts, Jeongguk sets out to confront Seoyeon. He is aware that the conversation would be difficult, but he's determined to get to the bottom of things. Jinho's confirmation, revealing Seoyeon's abuse of Jimin, added another layer to the complexity of the situation.

As he wanders through the forest to Seoyeon's hut in his wolf form, clothes in his snout, Jeongguk stumbles upon a familiar thicket of tall shrubs. There, he had spent countless hours playing with Jimin behind it, revealing a beautiful flower meadow.

A wave of nostalgia flashes before his eyes, stopping him in his tracks while he steps hesitantly closer. He can almost hear Jimin's laughter echoing through the trees and see his bright eyes when Jimin was sitting on a tree, watching him pick daisies. He proudly held up the white, delicate flowers up to his nose, inhaling their soft fragrance. "Look, my mum said they are called daisies!"

"How do you know?" Jimin asked, his eyes sparkling with curiosity when he climbed down from the big oak tree.

"Because we have them at home," Jeongguk replied and held out the flower he picked to Jimin as he came running across the meadow to him. A cheerful giggle emerged from him. "My mum keeps a dried flower and said it reminds her of when she met my dad! She says daisies mean their love is strong like it can even survive bad stuff! My dad brought her a bunch when he was courting her, too!"

Jeongguk takes another step in a trance, laying his clothes down to nudge a flower with his snout. They have been inseparable, spending hours playing in the forest, exploring the hidden meadows, and swimming in the lake.

"She also said that a yellow daisy shows friendship!" Six-year-old Jeongguk reached immediately for a yellow daisy next to him and brightened when he handed it to Jimin, causing him to giggle and hug him. Jimin grinned wide and went to pick a different flower to hand it to Jeongguk.

"How good that we are already friends!"

A pang of sadness pierces his heart, recalling the longing he felt for the growing gap between them. Something had changed, barely noticeable at first. Jeongguk couldn't quite put his finger on it, but he noticed that Jimin had started to keep to himself more and more. He also noticed that Seoyeon was spending more time with them. Jeongguk didn't understand why Jimin was distancing himself, and he was even more confused about Seoyeon's sudden interest in him. When he asked Jimin about it, he offered only shrugs and kept to himself, fuelling the suspicion that had sprouted in Jeongguk's mind: Jimin began to dislike him.

Soon after, Jeongguk started to devote most of his time to learning how to become a head alpha. It meant accompanying his father when they travelled to other packs to negotiate, represent their pack and build alliances. When he got older, he joined hunts and fought off rogues. Yet, a bittersweet pang remained whenever he returned home.

However, one such return from his visit with a different pack was different. Jeongguk found Jimin with his grandfather, picking black cohosh in the richer part of the forest. Seoyeon approached him when he was hiding behind big tree roots, longing for Jimin's company. Jeongguk didn't even try to tell her to go away, knowing by then that Seoyeon was stubborn. Therefore, he didn't even care at this point anymore, hoping deep down she would keep him company and he wouldn't feel as lonely.

She broke the silence first, keeping her eyes on Jimin and his grandfather while she moved the bark between her fingers. "Jimin's acting weird."

Jeongguk was young, not even ten years old by then, but there wasn't a time he wouldn't sneakily steal glances at the other if he had time for that.

Jeongguk's brow furrowed at Seoyeon's words. While the pang of sadness for his lost friendship with Jimin remained, her concern sparked a flicker of curiosity. "Weird how?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.

Seoyeon turned to him, her eyes filled with something Jeongguk couldn't decipher. "He's, like, happy all the time now. With this new friend of his," Seoyeon murmured, her voice laced with a subtle venom Jeonnguk hadn't noticed before. "They're always stuck together, like glue!"

A seed of doubt, carefully planted by Seoyeon's twisted words, took root in Jeongguk's young mind. Happy? With someone else? It wasn't supposed to be this way. They were supposed to be inseparable, just like always. A wave of anger, unfamiliar and hot, washed over him. How could Jimin forget him so easily?

"New friend? But... but we are best friends? He can't just replace me!" he got louder, his voice tight with unspoken hurt. "I don't believe you. Jimin is not like that!"

"I dunno, maybe he forgot you already." Seoyeon simply shrugged, while Jeongguk felt himself brimming with jealousy. He felt a weird tug at his heart at her words. Happy, all the time with someone else? Did that happen in the time he was away?

Jeongguk couldn't connect the dots. Just not long ago, he was determined to prove himself and threw himself into an upcoming pup hunt competition his pack holds occasionally. After a long time of barely talking, he thought this would be a way to gain his attention. He envisioned Jimin's proud smile, which he always had received after a successful hunt of small games. Yet, when he finally emerged victorious, he searched for Jimin, hoping for that familiar pat on the back, that congratulatory grin. But Jimin didn't even make an effort forward. Jeongguk's chest tightened when he saw Jimin turn and leave the scene.

"It's not just that," Seoyeon bit her lip, her gaze shifting to the ground, knees tucked underneath her chin. "He has said that you're annoying to him, always sticking to him like a lost puppy, never letting him be able to breathe."

How could Jimin say that? Had he not always supported him, cheered him on in training, even when others doubted him? The silence stretched, suffocating him more than Jimin ever could. "Did he tell you that himself?" Jeongguk finally forced out, voice trembling.

Seoyeon hesitated, then shook her head. "No, but I overheard him talking about you to this, like, new friend," she furrowed her brows and glared in Jimin's direction. "And, well, the way he used to describe you, Jeongguk. It wasn't nice. I- he laughed, Jeongguk. Who laughs at their best friend, right? It seems like he doesn't really care about you any more, Jeongguk."

Did he really say this? Was Jeongguk annoying? Was that why Jimin didn't spend time with him anymore?

Seoyeon placed a comforting hand on his arm, her touch sending shivers down his spine. "Jimin doesn't deserve you anyway! Friends come and go. Maybe it's time for you to find someone else who likes you more and who doesn't laugh at you and talk about you behind your back?"

The doubts planted by Seoyeon continued to gnaw at him during their conversation, making him question every interaction they had. He convinced himself that Jimin's subtle changes in behaviour were signs of disdain or indifference towards him. The once joyful moments they shared now felt strained and distant, leaving Jeongguk feeling isolated and hurt.

The thought of confronting Jimin sent shivers down his spine. The fear of rejection, of Seoyeon's words holding a sliver of truth, was a paralysing weight. Jeongguk didn't want to believe her. He couldn't bear the thought of losing Jimin, so instead of seeking out the truth, he chose to distance himself, hoping the pain would numb with time. But then, like a cruel twist of fate, Jeongguk saw it. Jimin would often walk around someone else, smiling and seemingly without any worries. His doubts solidified, turning into a bitter truth in his mind. He felt replaced, sad and angry.

Jeongguk snaps back from his reverie, snorting contemptuously at the flowers in front of him. He shakes his head, gaze darting to the familiar tree under which Jimin, and he, used to play. The need to know the truth burns in him now more than ever. What role does she play in all this? He has rarely seen her angry with another pack member; when he has, it was for good reason. Yet, there must be something to it if everyone has something against her.

Filled with new determination, Jeongguk gathers his clothes and sets off to confront Seoyeon, his heart pounding. He yearns for answers and clarity. Reaching her hut, he shifts back into his human form, the cool night air sending shivers down his spine. He slips back into his clothes and knocks on the door. Sharp and demanding. When he's met with silence, he decides to wait. Jeongguk can't leave now, not with a million unanswered questions swirling in his mind like a bunch of fireflies in a jar.

Minutes stretch into what feels like hours. Frustration gnaws at Jeongguk. Just as he considers giving up and returning to his own restless sleep, a movement catches his eye. Seoyeon emerges from the dense woods, sweat clinging to her fur as she has a rabbit dangling from her muzzle. The scent of fresh blood mingles with the earthy musk of the forest, a triumphant grin splitting her muzzle.

Jeongguk doesn't wait any longer, taking a step forward. "Seoyeon, we need to talk."

Seoyeon freezes, her triumphal posture faltering when she seems to register Jeongguk's voice. She tilts her head as if asking him what he's doing there, but Jeongguk doesn't say anything else until she then leads them into her hut, where she shifts. The naked silhouette flashes in the corner of his eye, and he instantly avoids looking.

Seoyeon's voice is guarded, her eyes narrowed. "What do you want to talk about?"

"I'm confused," Jeongguk admits, the word catching in his throat. He swallows. "What everyone's saying... it doesn't line up with how I know you. The Seoyeon I know wouldn't be cruel and uncaring. But the things I saw earlier... You've got some explaining to do. Help me understand why you did what you did and said what you said."

Seoyeon's expression hardens, a flicker of hurt flitting across her features. "What are you talking about, Jeongguk? Why would everyone say bad things about me?" She tilts her head, feeling hurt.

Jeongguk scoffs. "Don't act smart with me. You know what I'm talking about. You attacked Jimin."

"Are you sure you remember things correctly, Jeongguk?" Seoyeon counters, her voice laced with feigned innocence, making Jeongguk tilt his head, his eyebrow raising. "Maybe you're imagining things. I mean, you're the only one who understands me, Jeongguk."

He wants to answer her, opening his mouth to answer. But finding it difficult, he closes his mouth again. "Do you really think I would hurt someone without reason? Jimin provoked me first, Jeongguk and he said horrible things about you, things that I wouldn't believe. You wouldn't want me to just sit there and take it, would you?"

She steps closer, her voice barely a whisper. Playfully, she trails a finger down his chest. "Besides," she purrs, eyes locking as she steps dangerously close, "you know I wouldn't hurt anyone I truly care about."

A seductive smile plays on her lips. "Especially not someone as handsome and understanding as you..."

Jeongguk feels a familiar sensation in his chest as Seoyeon's touch lingers, but this time, it's overshadowed by a chilling realization. Her words are honeyed, her touch calculated, a desperate attempt to regain control of the narrative. He stares into her eyes, searching for the spark of truth he once saw, but finds only an abyss of manipulation.

"Part of me wants to believe you, Seoyeon," Jeongguk confesses, his voice tight with conflicting emotions. A tremor of unease runs through him. "But I'm not imagining things. I saw the anger in your eyes, the way you lunged at him. There's more to this than you're letting on, isn't there?"

Seoyeon's smile turns tight, a dangerous glint in her eyes. She leans in close, her voice low and dangerous. "Jeongguk, are you really questioning me? After all I've done for you, after I've protected you? Perhaps you've forgotten who your true friends are. Maybe Jimin's words have gotten to you more than you realize."

Jeongguk's jaw clenches. "Was it actually about protecting me or was all you did was lie to me? Perhaps whatever you did has reasons. Can you tell me, Seoyeon, whatever we have, is it even true between us? Do you even love me and see me as a mate? Doing that to Jimin, it seems to me that you aren't fit to be a future head omega like I thought. Leaders don't do that. Leaders will talk, and be understanding and caring. Leaders don't judge books by their cover. True leaders are humble and kind. They create a safe place for their pack, this pack-" Jeongguk bites his lip, knowing that he has done neither of them.

"Is it so hard to believe that Jimin started the fight? Perhaps you should question his motives instead of mine. He's always been jealous of our bond. Look into my eyes, Jeongguk. Can you see anything but truth and love for you there? Would I ever do anything to harm you?" Tears well up in her eyes, but Jeongguk feels nothing but disgust, seeing now that she's trying to avoid answering his question and twisting his words. How many times did she do this without him even noticing it?

"Seoyeon, stop trying to play me," Jeongguk growls, his patience wearing thin. "It wasn't about protecting me, it was about starting a fight. And your little act now, trying to seduce me? It's pathetic. All this time, I thought you were different, someone I could trust. And now you try to play the innocent victim, the loving friend. If you want me to believe you, then prove it. But the same little act right now, the stunt you're trying to pull, can be swayed as manipulation."

"Maybe you're right. Maybe I'm not perfect. But who is? We all make mistakes, Jeongguk. But don't let one mistake define me. I'm still the Seoyeon you know, the one who cares about you more than anything."

"I'm not so sure if you are still the Seoyeon I got to know." Jungkook bites his cheek, studying her face. "Or maybe you weren't from the beginning."

Jeongguk dares to take a step closer, a low growl rumbling in his chest. Ideas swirl, forming a hunch of worth exploring. "Tell me, did he confront you about hurting him several times? Tell me, did he tell you how you've been using me to get what you want? Because it makes no sense why you would be on his property."

Seoyeon's gasp hangs heavy in the air, her lips trembling as she breathes out his name.

"Your story better be true once I get back from asking Jimin," Jeongguk states firmly, determined to take matters into his own hands. He turns around, his back straight and head held up high. In a few minutes, or perhaps hours, Jeongguk will most likely find out the truth about what kind of person Seoyeon is. But didn't he already have a dark premonition of what was to come? 

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A big thank you to my beta readers 🎀💜