she lowered her head, almost fleeing the room, desperate to escape the suffocating scent that clung to her lungs. Finally, the doors closed behind her.
Yn:"Alpha..." she called softly.

His gaze immediately locked onto her, sharp yet tender.
She gestured with her hand for him to come closer. He walked with unhurried steps, sitting beside her, his presence heavy and grounding.
She slowly sat up, leaning against his shoulder for support. But then her trembling fingers reached for the knot of his robe, untying it gently.
He didn't stop her. He never did. He only watched her quietly, his gaze unreadable.
Her fingers trailed over his skin,
mapping the marks she left-scratches, teeth marks, nail imprints. Her voice trembled with guilt.
Yn:"...Sorry... I didn't even notice I did this."
Her words were laced with worry, but instead of answering, he simply slipped an arm beneath her and lifted her effortlessly into his arms.
Without a word, he carried her toward the bathroom and disappeared inside with her.
A week later – In Ari's room
Yn's POV:
I slowly pushed open the door and stepped inside her room. The faint fragrance of jasmine filled the air, soft candlelight bouncing against the polished mirror in front of her.
There she was—Ari, dressed in her wedding attire, looking breathtakingly beautiful.
For a moment, I froze. My heart clenched, not from envy but from the overwhelming wave of emotions that came seeing my best friend like this—glowing, nervous, yet divine..
Her eyes were locked with her reflection in the mirror, so lost in her thoughts that she didn't even notice me walking in..
I let my lips curl into a teasing smile as I walked closer, my steps slow and deliberate.
Yn:"Someone's glowing today…" I whispered lightly, just loud enough for her to hear.
Her cheeks warmed immediately as she looked down shyly, the corners of her lips twitching.
I couldn't resist anymore—I reached out, gently lifting her chin so her eyes would meet mine in the mirror.
Standing beside her, our reflections aligned..For a moment, it felt surreal—two best friends, standing at the edge of two very different fates.
"You look beautiful, Ari," I said softly, my eyes glistening as I admired her. "Yoongi hyung won't leave you tonight." But Ari's eyes widened, her face turning crimson as she gasped.
Ari: "Shut up, Yn! You've become shameless nowadays!"
Yn:I chuckled, shaking my head. "What's shameless in that? And you're calling me shameless? Unlike someone, I'm not pregnant yet…"
I teased, dragging the words just enough to fluster her more.Her face turned even redder.
Ari:"You—!" she stammered before burying her embarrassment with a sharp, "Shut up, Yn!"
Yn:I couldn't help but laugh loudly.."Okay, okay… now stop blushing and wear the jewelry. My hyung is waiting for you."
As I fixed the necklace around her neck, my hands steady despite the emotions in my chest, she suddenly looked at me through the mirror.
Ari:"Are you happy, Yn?" she asked softly, her voice carrying more weight than the question seemed to..
Yn:I blinked, then smiled warmly. "Of course, Ari. I'm happier than anyone else today. But you and Yoongi have to thank Jungkook… if he hadn't spoken with His Majesty, this marriage never would have happened."
Her eyes narrowed slightly as she processed my words, her expression shifting. Then, almost suspiciously
Ari:"Jungkook? You're calling him by his name now? I think you both have become very close…"
Yn:My lips curved faintly as I tucked a loose strand of her hair away from the jewelry resting against her skin.
"At first, I thought he disliked it when I called him by his name… but he cleared my doubts himself..He said he doesn't mind.
Still, I only call him that when we're alone. In public, it would be disrespectful—after all, he is the Crown Prince and the future King of this dynasty.
But when it's just us… I allow myself the comfort of his name." but She studied me carefully, her eyes softening with concern.
Ari: "Are you really doing this willingly, Yn? I mean… you love him, and we both know he's hated you since childhood…"
Yn:Her words pierced through me, but I swallowed down the ache and forced a small smile. "It's not like I have a choice, Ari.
Don't forget—I'm alive today only because I became his claim. If not, I would have died long ago in that forest. And… I do love him, Ari..
He is my Alpha. Whether we're wedded nor mated, I gave myself to him willingly. I know we don't have a future. He belongs to the Jeon dynasty, and one day, he will marry Princess Aera. I will remain his claim forever." Silence fell.
Ari's eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she suddenly pulled her into a tight embrace, squeezing her as though she could shield her from the fate she had already accepted.
Ari:"I wish I could change everything," she whispered against her shoulder.
Yn:I laughed softly, though my chest ached painfully inside. "We both know… it's just a wish. Let it be."Her arms tightened around me.
Ari: "Yes… but if only he—"
A sudden knock on the door broke the fragile moment.
"Time for your entry!" Ari's mother's voice called from outside.
Yn:Quickly, I blinked away the tears forming in my eyes and forced a smile. "Come on, let's go…" I said, giving Ari's hand a reassuring squeeze.
And then, it happened. Ari stepped out into the grand hall, her every step graceful and poised.
The fabric of her wedding attire shimmered under the light, her aura so regal that for a second, everyone forgot to breathe.
Yoongi walked toward her, his face lit up with the kind of smile that only belonged to a man seeing his entire world in front of him.

He extended his hand slowly, and Ari, smiling back, placed hers in his without hesitation.