Ch 16: The Hunters and the Hunted

Chapter 16: The Hunters and the Hunted

A Shadow in the Dark

The night air was thick with tension.

Taehyung stood by the large window of his new room, staring into the vast, moonlit garden outside. The Jeon estate was enormous, but right now, it felt suffocating.

After the revelation about the bounty on his head, the brothers had insisted on moving him to a more secure wing of the mansion.

Guards patrolled outside. Surveillance cameras monitored every corridor.

He was protected.

But he still felt like prey.

Because whoever had placed that bounty—

They were still out there.

And he had no idea what they wanted from him.

A Late-Night Visit

A soft knock on the door pulled him from his thoughts.

Before he could answer, the door creaked open, revealing Jungguk.

Of course, he wouldn’t wait for permission.

Jungguk leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, his ever-present smirk in place. “Can’t sleep?”

Taehyung sighed, turning away from the window. “How can I? Someone wants me dead.”

Jungguk hummed as he stepped inside, closing the door behind him. “Not dead. Captured.”

Taehyung rolled his eyes. “Oh, that makes me feel so much better.”

Jungguk chuckled, his gaze flickering toward the untouched bed. “Then maybe I should help you sleep.”

Taehyung narrowed his eyes. “And how exactly would you do that?”

Jungguk walked toward him lazily, his presence commanding even in the dimly lit room. “By taking your mind off things.”

Taehyung scoffed. “By annoying me?”

Jungguk grinned. “That too.”

Before Taehyung could react, Jungguk grabbed his wrist and pulled him toward the bed. He flopped down first, dragging Taehyung along with him.

“What the hell, Jungguk?!” Taehyung glared, trying to push himself up.

Jungguk merely shrugged. “You’re overthinking. Just lie down.”

Taehyung huffed but didn't fight him this time.

He settled onto his back, staring at the ceiling.

Jungguk turned on his side, propping his head up with one hand, watching Taehyung closely. “You trust us now.”

Taehyung stiffened.

He opened his mouth to argue—

Then closed it.

Because…

He did.

Somehow, despite everything, he did.

Jungguk’s gaze softened just a fraction. “Good. Because we won’t let anything happen to you.”

And for the first time that night—

Taehyung believed him.

A Growing Threat

Elsewhere, deep in the city, in a dimly lit underground room—

A man sat at a desk, scrolling through his phone.

On the screen—

A picture of Taehyung.

A wicked smile curled on his lips.

“So,” he murmured, “they’re protecting you, huh?”

His fingers tapped against the wood.

“Let’s see how long that lasts.”

With a single message sent, a new order was given—

Find him.

And bring him to me.

The Jeon Brothers’ Strategy

Back at the mansion, in a private meeting room, Jungkook and Jae-hyun sat across from each other.

The tension was thick between them.

“We need to act fast,” Jae-hyun said, fingers tapping against the table. “This isn’t just any bounty. Someone with deep connections is behind this.”

Jungkook sighed, rubbing his temples. “We should’ve seen this coming. Taehyung isn’t just a random target. Whoever is after him—they know.”

Jae-hyun’s jaw tightened. “Do you think he told anyone?”

Jungkook shook his head. “No. He’s cautious. But that doesn’t mean someone hasn’t figured it out.”

Jae-hyun leaned back, thinking. “Then we need to get ahead of this.”

“Agreed.” Jungkook’s voice was firm. “From now on, Taehyung doesn’t go anywhere alone.”

Jae-hyun smirked. “Not that he ever did. Jungguk is practically glued to him.”

Jungkook chuckled. “Annoying, isn’t it?”

Jae-hyun sighed. “He’s a handful, but at least Taehyung is starting to trust us.”

Jungkook’s expression darkened.

“Trust won’t be enough if we can’t protect him.”

A Silent Watcher

Unbeknownst to them, a figure watched from the shadows.

A small tracking device lay on the windowsill of Taehyung’s room—planted there hours ago.

And through it, someone listened.

Someone dangerous.

A voice whispered through the earpiece.

“…He won’t escape.”

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