The Lycan's Bonded

Chapter 2

Taehyung stirred himself out of his lethargic trance after what felt like a long time. A sense of urgency finally managed to pierce the fog around his mind. They needed to eat. It was a dangerous time for them both, and they needed the energy boost only food could give them.

"Jungkook," he said in a hoarse voice. "Jungkook, get up. We... we need to eat." Even speaking took an inordinate amount of energy.

Jungkook barely stirred. Mumbling, he turned his face into Taehyung's chest.

Taehyung didn't think he could sit up if he had to lever Jungkook up, too. He pushed weakly on his newly Bonded's arm. "We have to eat," he insisted. "Come on, Jungkook." He couldn't believe how drained he felt.

Jungkook heaved himself off Taehyung. It obviously took a lot of effort, but with the added weight gone, Taehyung was able to sit up. His hands were shaking as he reached for the tray and pushed the lid off. The hot food was long cold and looked utterly unappetizing. But there were thick chunks of sweet bread and a bowl of sugared fruit cubes. Sugar would go a long way toward perking them up.

Choosing a particularly fat cube, he rubbed it over Jungkook's lips. "Eat," he commanded. Jungkook giggled at the feeling, and Taehyung used that opportunity to slip the fruit into his mouth. Only when his Bonded began chewing the offering did Taehyung pop a few into his own mouth. They tasted divine and whet his appetite for more. Apparently they affected Jungkook the same way, for he pushed himself upright and lay his hand on Taehyung's in a silent plea for more. Smiling, Taehyung put the bowl in his hand and tore into the bread. "Unfortunately, nothing's hot anymore," he said around a mouthful. "But carbs and sugar are high-energy foods, so they'll last us until we can get your father to bring us more. I'll ring for him now." He picked up another piece of sweet bread as he rose from the bed. "Stay there. I'll get your father."

"You keep thinking that bread tastes good," Jungkook said. "Can't I have some?"

Blinking, Taehyung nodded and tossed him a chunk. "Sorry. Here you go."

Jeon burst in about fifteen seconds after the bell sounded, leading Taehyung to believe the man had been waiting for it and had run like a mad demon at the ring. "You two all right?" he asked, immediately going to his son. "You've been silent in here for almost four hours!"

Taehyung blinked. What a conspicuously long amount of time. "We're fine," he said, looking at the palm that had been slit. There was no scar. "But we're both starving. Could you have someone bring us a hot meal?"

"Ours got cold," Jungkook explained, snagging another fruit cube.

Jeon's eyes found the spilled oil on the bedspread. "What's this?" he asked.

"Oil," Taehyung said. "It's the best thing for sealing the Bonding, for some reason. I was a little careless. I apologize."

"It's fine," the man said, waving it off. "I will send a servant to change the bed. Jungkook, I have to leave first thing in the morning for Ilsan. I'll be gone for a few days, Ms. Haru will see to your needs. Will you two be fine here by yourselves?"

"Of course," Taehyung said.

Jeon nodded at Taehyung, "I'll send Ms. Haru immediately."

"Thank you," Jungkook and Taehyung said in unison, as Jeon made his way out.

Feeling jittery from eating sugar on an otherwise empty stomach, Taehyung turned to his newly Bonded and for the first time since leaving Ly'canaria changed into his primary form. Jungkook sensed it, of course, sitting up a little, head turning with uncanny accuracy to Taehyung's direction. Taehyung crossed the room in one long bound, leaping onto the bed and pouncing on the person who was now closest to him in the World.