Chapter 5: The Awakening of the Bond

The moon hung high in the night sky, casting a silver glow over the forest. Y/N felt an inexplicable pull as she wandered through the woods, her steps soft but purposeful. The chilly night air bit at her skin, yet something deep inside kept her warm—a fierce energy she couldn’t quite understand. It was as if the trees themselves were whispering her name, guiding her to a place she’d never been.

Suddenly, she felt his presence. Yoongi. Her stepbrother, her alpha mate. The one person she shouldn’t feel these emotions for yet couldn’t help but crave. She stopped, her heart racing as she sensed him approaching.

Yoongi emerged from the shadows, his dark eyes gleaming under the moonlight, a mix of longing and caution in his gaze. He seemed different tonight—more intense, more… connected.

“Why are you here, Y/N?” he asked, his voice soft yet holding a warning.

Y/N took a deep breath, her fingers trembling. “I… I felt like something was calling me. Like I had to be here.”

Yoongi’s gaze softened slightly as he took a step closer, his scent wrapping around her, pulling her in. “You’re feeling the bond, aren’t you? You’re awakening to it.”

A shiver ran through Y/N as the meaning of his words sank in. “The bond? Between us?” She wanted to deny it, to turn away from him and run, but her heart wouldn’t let her. Instead, she held his gaze, feeling an unspoken connection between them, growing stronger with each passing moment.

Yoongi nodded, his eyes narrowing slightly as he struggled with his own emotions. “It’s not something we can fight, Y/N. Not anymore. Our wolves… they’ve already chosen each other.”

Y/N’s heart raced as she realized what that meant. Every warning she’d told herself, every attempt she’d made to distance herself from him—none of it mattered. Fate had already decided.

“But Yoongi… we’re…” Her voice trailed off as she tried to make sense of the words she didn’t want to say.

“Step-siblings?” he finished, his tone tinged with bitterness. “I know. And yet, every part of me is drawn to you. I can’t stop it. You’re my mate, Y/N.”

A wave of emotion crashed over her, the weight of their connection overwhelming. She didn’t know if she could handle this—if she could accept this bond that went against everything she thought she knew.

Before she could respond, Yoongi closed the distance between them, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from her face. His touch sent a spark through her, igniting something primal within her soul. She felt her wolf stir, responding to his presence, urging her closer.

“Y/N, I can’t change what we are,” he murmured, his breath warm against her skin. “But I promise I’ll protect you, no matter what.”

Y/N looked up at him, her eyes wide, vulnerability clear on her face. She wanted to believe him, to let herself fall into his embrace and give in to the bond. But there was a part of her that still resisted, that feared the consequences of giving in to a love that was forbidden.

“I… I don’t know if I can do this, Yoongi,” she whispered, her voice wavering.

Yoongi’s gaze hardened slightly, a flicker of pain flashing in his eyes. But he nodded, understanding her inner turmoil. “Take all the time you need. Just know that I’m here. I’ll always be here.”

As he turned to leave, Y/N felt a pang of regret, the emptiness of his absence hitting her like a punch. She reached out, grabbing his hand before he could disappear back into the shadows.

“Yoongi… wait.”

He turned back, hope and uncertainty mingling in his eyes. And in that moment, Y/N realized that no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t deny the bond any longer. Slowly, she stepped forward, letting her heart take the lead.

Their eyes met, and Y/N knew that this was only the beginning—the first step in a journey she’d never imagined. A journey bound by the moon, guided by fate, and tied together by an unbreakable, forbidden bond.

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