The night was cold, the moon casting a pale glow over the palace as Taehyung weakly guided the horse toward the gates. Every step felt like an eternity. His limbs were shaking, his entire body consumed by the overwhelming ache of his heat. He could barely keep his eyes open, but sheer willpower kept him moving forward. He had to make it back---back to safety, back to where someone could help him.

The horse's hooves clopped softly against the stone path as it neared the palace walls, and Taehyung clung weakly to its mane, trying to keep himself upright. His strength was rapidly failing, and the heat was becoming unbearable, his omega instincts fighting for dominance. His vision blurred, the world spinning around him as the palace gates came into view. The cloth covering his face fell on the ground.