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Chapter Text

10:35 PM Peak of the Full Moon

The deafening roar of a canon went off and the spiraling staircase of the Grand Hall that lead to the second floor was blown into splinters as fire erupted. Less than a second after the eruption, another explosion set off. And then another and another. In fact, there were so many that it seemed to be raining fire as the roof collapsed.

Yuna was ripped away from Beomgyu during the first explosion, flung across the room as the floor beneath them began to crumple. The impact of her fall almost shattered her bones and knocked the wind from her lungs as she smashed into the ground. However, she forced herself to sit up, fighting against the ash that stung her eyes as she struggled to open her eyes.

The moment she opened her eyes, she thought was in hell – the world as she knew it, a flaming inferno and burning all around. She desperately looked around.

“B-beomgyu-“ She choked. “… B-beongyu! M-Master-“ Her voice broke as she attacked by a coughing fit as smoke and ash twisted her vision and squeezed her lungs.

She crawled forward, dragging her broken body with her as she looked for a way out.

“M-master! B-beomgyu! Where-“ She gasped, her vision clearing up at the sight below.

She had dragged herself to the edge of the unstable floor. The explosions had caused several holes in the second floor that was about to collapse at any given moment. Yuna needed to get out if she wanted to live, but the sight below was so riveting that she was paralyzed.

Vampires and attendants screamed as they tried to take cover, sprinted for the doors and windows that were barricaded with shattered glass and bottomless flames. They ran around in turmoil searching for relief and salvation while finding none. And as if the chaos wasn’t enough, a dreadful cry pierced through the noise – the sound of pure terror. Following it, a multitude of responding howls. A vast sea of golden eyes filled the darkness, invoking more fear and chaos.

Yuna found herself motionless, unable to look away at the army of wolves who were surrounding the vampires like predator look at prey.

So the hunter will be hunted…

Her Alpha let out a howl, followed by a chorus of responding growls and Yuna watched in numb shock as the wolves charged forward, her people committing mutiny over their masters.

“M-monsters!”

“B-beasts!”

“The-the slaves! The w-wolves are revolting!”

“Run!”

It was a complete warzone, as monsters fought one another, slaves rebelling against their masters, wolves slaughtering vampires. The sound of flesh ripping drowned into the screams of those caught on both sides, red and purple splattering all over the golden walls and marble floor. That’s right. The color of the vampires’ blood was different – various shades of purple and periwinkle instead of crimson that wolves and human bled. The sight was absolutely horrifying, with bloodied bodies laid all over the floor as flames of destruction danced all around them.

But she couldn’t look away; not even when she felt fire and glass raining all around her, stabbing and scalding her back.

Lord have mercy…

The vampires’ reign of evil and cruelty is over!

Changbin had never felt more alive as he did in this moment. His wolf was bloodthirsty, having waited for this day for a long time – the day of vengeance, the day of revenge. It was now time for them to experience the same horror that his people went through. Oh how he reveled in it, feasting on the blood of his enemies greedily. He mercilessly devoured one vampire after another, making sure to shred their hearts that he ripped out of their chest and tossing the pieces into the fire. There was no need to test folklore, voodoo, or black magic. He made sure his victims would never be able to come back to life again.

He kept his eyes alert for the Head Master – former Head Master: the vampire who brought this hell upon him and the wolves in the first place. The devil who forced their she-wolves to breed with as many wolves as possible, regardless of mate, all to generate more offspring, more slaves. The monster who set the rule that all male wolves were to be executed by 50 years, having lost their usefulness, which included Changbin’s own father. And the one who sent innocent Jeongin away when the young master was deathly sick.

I’ll kill him.

Changbin reiterated his silent vow, the one he had made since he was 10 years and had witnessed his father’s brutal death.

He looked around wildly with a growl.

Where was he?!

Even with his enhanced vision in his wolf-state, he couldn’t spot the vampire through the smoke and ashes. But then, as if the God he struggled to believe in heard his prayer, his eyes cleared up and he could see everything.

That bastard was trying to run away using his other attendants as a shield.

Kill him!

Changbin let out an agonizing roar before charging forward, his eyes fixed on one vampire only. He was so focused that he wasn’t even fazed by the silver bullet that missed him by a mile.

So the bloodsuckers are prepared. It doesn’t matter. We already caused the revolution. And I’m going to kill you.

He lunged forward, only to be thrown back by the impact of another explosion, purple splattering all around him. That demon actually set one of his own on fire as a diversion! Changbin sputtered and coughed, spitting out the lavender blood that caused his tongue to burn. However, by the time his eyes refocused, it was too late. The elder vampire was nowhere to be found.

Changbin let out a roar of displeasure, terrible and rough, causing vampires to hiss and other wolves to flinch. He clenched his jaw with a growl, his eyes looking around. He was tempted to leap into the darkness and chase after the vampire when his eye caught another interesting prey.

Let’s settle for second-best for now…

He licked his chops, eyes glowing, as he slowly neared his prey.

Yeji held her hands against her mouth, trying to stifle her cries as she tried to hide in the shadows. She desperately looked around, but all the exits were all closed off – either by fire or wolves. There was no escape. A tear rolled down her eye and she whimpered as she witnessed yet another vampire being torn apart in front of her eyes. Fear coursed through her heart at the sound of flesh ripping, another broken limb tossed and landing right beside her.

She needed to escape. She needed to or else she would be next-

She felt a shift in the air around her and immediately whirled around, finding herself face-to-face with a beast. Her heart dropped down to her gut at the pair of golden orbs and gnashed teeth that were pointed at her. The scream was caught in her throat as the wolf came closer to her, snarling with bared teeth and drool falling from its chops. He crouched, preparing to lunge for her, but within a split second, another wolf jumped in front of her protectively.

The first beast wasn’t happy, letting out a low growl, but the second wolf held his ground, head high as he let out a low grunt. Reluctantly, the first wolf turned away to lunge for another vampire, but not before leveling a look of a predator to Yeji.

‘Mark my words. You’re next,’ it seemed to say.

The second wolf stayed beside her. She should have been terrified, but unlike the other wolves, this one’s stance wasn’t predatory. It stood tall, but its head also kept darting back-and-forth, as if trying to guard her from any other enemies. She stared at the wolf in confusion.

Who are you?

As if it could read her thoughts, the wolf slowly turned around and Yeji locked eyes with its golden orbs. All wolves had golden eyes, but looking at this one’s, Yeji knew. She knew immediately.

Seungmin .

Suddenly, her mind flashed back to their conversation only a few hours prior as they walked through the flowerbeds of marigolds together.

“Are you coming to the party tonight?”

“…Yes.”

“…Don’t come.” His brown eyes were the most serious he had ever seen it, his mouth pursed in a grimace. “Don’t come…”

She gasped, her confusion morphing to horror, but he turned away from her. Yeji watched as he lunged for another of her own, riveted by fear and shock as he tore through someone in front of her eyes, his attention on a new target.

“N-no…” She whispered. “No. No! Seungm-“ Before could finish her plea, a hand locked on her wrist and yanked her up to her feet. She whirled around in fright, pulling back, but the grip on her was strong.

Hyunjin.

“Run!”

And before she knew it, she was running, hand-in-hand with Hyunjin as they zig-zagged past hungry wolves and untamed flames. Her hearing grew faint as screams, howls, and explosions all mixed into one, but her eyesight was as clear as ever – especially when she turned back to look at Seungmin one last time.

Seungmin…

For the past 23 years of Chan’s life, he had dirtied his hands with blood a number of times. However, tonight was the first time his hands were stained periwinkle with his masters’ blood. He could taste the repulsive mixture of lavender and metal, could smell the slight smell of sulfur all around as his fur bathed in their blood. And he felt nothing – no fear; no empathy; no joy; no pain – only a voracious hunger for vengeance.

He felt a chain clamp around one hind leg, and then the other; a rope around his neck.

“Hold him down!”

“This is the alpha!”

“Stop him!”

“KILL HIM!”

And yet, he was not afraid. Instead, Chan felt strength surge upon him as the full moon lit her gentle beams upon him, a blessing from the Almighty. He snapped the chains with a roar and charged through the crowd, upturning tossing vampires around like porcelain dolls. He tore through bodies, breaking and ripping them all apart: old, young, rich, wealthy – it didn’t matter. They were all evil; all sinners. There was no innocent; not in the vampires.

A shot rang through the air and he tensed, human reasoning coming back to him.

Silver bullets.

He keened his ears.

More guns and more vampires on the way. They needed to get out.

Letting out another authoritative howl, he called his pack to follow. His howl must have had more power than he thought because it set off another blast. One last explosion and there was an opening through the balcony. With a giant leap, he took off, bounding to the forest. As he raced through the darkness, he fought back his urge to look back.

The leader must be in the front of the pack, they told him. Lead.

And so he did. He led his people from their bondage into the freedom of the night.

‘Let’s go home.’

Finally, they were free to make a home.

Changbin quickly scaled up the burnt staircase, momentarily pausing to make sure all of the other wolves had passed through to their freedom. He was ready to leap from the rotting wood into liberty when his eyes widened.

What is she doing here?

For the first time that night, he felt fear and his heart dropped to his stomach, messing up his intestines.

Yuna was still here!

He let out a grating growl, causing her to look up at him.

Yuna felt as if she was in a daze, her body broken and rendered motionless as a wolf across the room stared straight at her. The wolf let out an impatient howl, breaking her spell and she slowly got up to her feet. He made another low grunt, beckoning her to jump to him, but she hesitated. She still felt disoriented, lost and afraid about what was happening.

Should I jump?

Unconsciously, she took a step towards him.

Jump? If she did, there was no turning back. Her mind blanked as her feet started, picking up speed as she hastened into a run.

No going back…

She was sprinting now, her arms reaching out for the wolf as she got ready to make the leap.

No going back-

She was tackled to the ground, strong arms grabbing her from behind. It was a good thing too, because had she taken that leap, she would have turned into debris as the balcony exploded in front of her eyes. The impact was so great and the sound, deafening, that for a moment, she thought she had lost her hearing. When she opened her eyes, there was debris everywhere as people ran in multiple directions in a frenzy, screaming and crying as they attempted to escape the fire. Despite the haziness, she clumsily tried to get up, only for the arms that remained around her tighten.

“Don’t move.” Not even Beomgyu’s icy breath could shake her from her stupor, her body becoming heavy as her sight turned cloudy.

The last thing she remembered before she blacked out was a hazy image of the wolves escaping into the darkness of night, her pack leaving her behind.

Wait… What about me? Don’t leave me… Please… Don’t-

Chapter Text

2:14 AM

“Channie Hyung!” A small child squealed as he ran straight for the older boy who was standing across the way.

The older boy’s eyes widened in faux surprise and he immediately turned on his heel, taking off in the other direction. However, he purposely took tiny steps, allowing the smaller child to catch up to him. Before the small child caught up, the older spun around with arms open wide, ready to catch the child who leaped into his arms.

The one called, ‘Channie Hyung’, picked up the small child and spun him around in the air, their laughter echoing across the courtyard. When the older boy could spin no longer, he collapsed to the ground, careful to hold up the child and place him on top of himself to not dirty the little one’s clothes.

“You’ve caught me, Master Felix.” The older boy pretended to groan. “You’re too fast for me…”

The younger giggled and hooked his tiny arms around the older boy’s neck, not caring that they were both reeking of sweat. No matter what the weather was like, Felix always wore long sleeves and gloves. He’d do anything that allowed him to touch his favorite person in the whole world.

“Channie Hyung.” Two tiny gloved hands cupped Chan’s face as Felix stared at him intently.

“Yes Master Felix?”

“Promise you’ll stay with me forever?”

Chan’s eyes crinkled with joy for the child in his arms who gazed at him with so much open affection.

“I promise.”

“-Alpha?”

Chan’s eyes shot open as he sat up straight. He lifted his head and made eye-contact with Seungmin. As always, Seungmin looked at him with a neutral expression, although the furrow in his brow indicated concern.

“Hyung…” Seungmin asked again, but Chan gave him a tired smile.

“Get some rest, Alpha.” Jeongyeon passed by, leveling a meaningful look at him with a raised eyebrow.

“I wasn’t sleeping.” Chan chuckled.

He really wasn’t. How could he fall asleep after the havoc they wrecked just a few hours ago? He couldn’t sleep, as his mind refused to rest. Rather than allowing sleep, his mind took him back to memories he didn’t want to think about ever again.

Master Felix…

Chan stared up at the moon, still full and shining bright, even after all the bloodshed that occurred that night. He silently prayed to the Almighty that his young master got away unscathed.

Our Father in heaven, guide Master Felix. Please. Be with him... I cannot anymore.

He blinked a few times and glanced around, assessing the situation of his pack. Some sported bruised eyes, bloody arms, or broken bones, but everyone had made it out alive. He let out a deep exhale and once again, thanked the Lord for His mercy.

While a few had already fallen asleep due to exhaustion, most of the wolves were wide awake, excited as they chattered and made a ruckus amongst themselves.

“That was glorious!”

“Revolutionary!”

“Did you see their faces?!”

“They never saw it coming!”

Despite his physical and mental exhaustion, Chan couldn’t help but smile. The members of his pack were ecstatic, brimming with excitement over their freedom. And he was just grateful he was a part of it.

“The Insiders pulled through.” Seungmin sat beside him quietly, offering a bottle of beer.

Chan took it gratefully.

“… Did you doubt them?” Chan raised an eyebrow as he took a swig of alcohol.

The younger wolf shrugged apathetically.

“I didn’t think too much.” Seungmin nodded, staring absent-mindedly into the distance.

Chan hummed as he continued to chug, grateful that the alcohol was finally numbing some of his senses and warming his insides.

“We’ve never seen them.” Seungmin’s quiet voice caused Chan to pause.

The Insiders.

That’s what the secretive allies of the wolves called themselves.

Chan and his pack knew very little about them. They knew that they were an anonymous group of individuals dedicated to ending enslavement of wolves in the North. They knew that their current priest, Father Soobin, and the altar boy, Huening Kai, was a part of it. They knew that the Insiders were the ones responsible for planting the bombs all around the Grand Duke’s home. They knew that the Insiders were the ones who supplied them with the rations of food and clothing that they found waiting for them in the forest.

But that was all.

Chan had no idea whether they were wolves, vampires, or humans. He didn’t have a single clue whether the Church in Rome was also behind it or simply unaware of their clergy’s actions. There was a rumor that the Insiders were working with Freedom Fighters from the South, but there was no evidence to back that up. All Chan knew was the moment he received the first message from Huening Kai, the course of his life changed forever.

“The Lord said, ‘I have indeed seen the misery of my people… and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them’… Exodus 3:7… The Word of the Lord.”

The altar boy stared at Chan with such an intensity like no other that it caused Chan to take a step back.

“… What?”

They were in mass and Chan had come forward to partake in Communion, but rather than the usual recitation of blessing by the Son of God’s blood and body, Huening Kai whispered the words of a promise that Chan had long believed did not apply to himself nor his people.

A fleeting expression of coldness flickered through the younger’s usually bright eyes, but as quickly as it came, it left. And Kai stood taller and smiled merrily as he usually did. Chan stared, but didn’t say a word. As Chan turned to go back to his seat, he looked over his shoulder and could still see Kai’s gentle smile, although he swore he could see a hint of hardness in the altar boy’s eyes.

That very day, there was an explosion in the mines in the middle of the night, causing the whole shaft to collapse. It took place at 3:07 AM on the 7^th of March.

March 8^th, Chan went to Confession at 3:07 in the afternoon and Father Soobin was waiting for him. That day marked the beginning of a series of unorthodox events, so outlandish and revolutionary that Chan felt everything was surreal.

A rebellion against the enslavement of wolves? Happening in the North? It was unthinkable.

It wasn’t that it was unheard of – Chan heard stories from his fathers about past rebellions, tried and failed. He was in such disillusionment that he straight-up laughed in Father Soobin’s face… only for his laughter to get caught in his throat at the priest’s uncanny expression. Chan had long learned how to control his emotions. He feared nothing, was stopped by nothing – he was Alpha for a reason. And yet, even he couldn’t control the shiver that went down his spine at Father Soobin’s unnatural grimace.

It was eerie… chilling, as to how gravely earnest the priest had gazed upon him.

“This time will be different.” Father Soobin promised.

How? Why? What made Father so sure? Who is backing us now? Are Southerners stepping in? Or is it a coup within the North?

Chan had so many questions, yet Father Soobin could give him very little answers. But there was one thing that the priest seemed certain about – that this time would be different.

Freedom from slavery and freedom to be a people group? Chan had no reason to decline. So he bowed his head and obeyed the priest’s instructions, followed after his guidance, and heeded his warnings. As months passed, there were a series of events that kept occurring throughout the North, events that breached through security and altered the safety the vampire masters had long enjoyed.

However, it was hushed. Everything that occurred was covered up and deemed as “accidents” by the Grand Duke of the North. Chan and the other wolves knew why. Had their masters been aware of what was truly happening, the widespread panic would have been impossible to control. The vampires would have been scared for the first time in their lives, and rightfully so. After all… they were outnumbered – an elite few compared to the desolate masses of attendants that were scattered throughout the land. Revolution would be easy to take place. So everything was covered up and quiet. And-

“We owe them our lives…” Chan’s voice was quiet, but Seungmin nodded his head in acknowledgement.

They may have not known who their allies were, but at the moment it didn’t matter. Because whoever they were, they set Chan and his people free.

“Father told me they’ll reveal themselves soon…” He continued. “So we-“

“Look what we found!”

“A MONSTER!”

A clamor of noise interrupted their conversation. Both wolves jumped to their feet, eyes flashing golden in alarm.

They were in the deep forest with the cover of night, but that didn’t mean they were invisible. The noise from the younger wolves could cause the vamps to find them. The two wolves exchanged looks before rushing over to a crowd that had formed a few distance a ways. Chan open his mouth, but his growl was wedged in his throat, and his body, completely frozen, at the sight in front of him.

“What’s a bloodsucker doing here?”

“Sinner!”

“Devil!”

The wolves had formed a crowded circle, keeping a prisoner in the center. And in the center, the so-called ‘devil’ and ‘monster was none other that the one Chan had vowed never to see again.

Master Felix…

“Channie Hyung?! Where’s Channie Hyung?! Bring him to me! I need to talk to him!” Felix was frantic, whirling his head from left to right with a wild look in his eyes that Chan didn’t recognize.

“You’re in no positions to be making demands right now, blood-sucker.”

“Yeah, blood sucker!”

The crowd ignored his demands, sneering as they pushed him around their circle, keeping him forcibly trapped within them. And as quickly as the shock came, it immediately left, as a cold wave of numbness washed over Chan. The Alpha’s expression became stony and he stood tall, but made no move to intervene the scene unfolding in front of him.

“Channie Hyung! Chris!” The vampire started screaming at the top of his lungs. “W-where is he?! I said where-AHGH!”

Felix yelled a painful sound as Changbin lunged at him to wrench him up by the hair. Now the crowd was even more invested, cheering as Changbin held Felix up by his head with a condescending expression on his face as tears poured from Felix’s broken green eyes.

“Shut. Up.” Changbin’s eyes glowed golden with rage. “You will calm down.”

“Y-you… You! H-how could… I’m Channie Hyung’s-“ Felix was startled into anther cry as Changbin gave his hair another brutal yank.

“Shut up!” Changbin snarled. “There’s no ‘Masterhood’ over us anymore! Not here anyways! You’re in Wolf Territory now! You’re the slave and I’m the Master!”

“C-channie H-hyung…” Felix sobbed. “H-hyung-“

The tears that dripped down Felix’s eyes were beautiful, like crystals sparkling under the moonlight. Yet Chan felt numb to it all, staring at the scene of Changbin brutalizing his former master with vacant eyes. The young vampire didn’t even notice Chan was standing among the crowd, watching him get tortured. The young boy was still naively crying out for Chan, even when Chan had vowed he would save him no longer.

“I said shut up!” Changbin’s grip on Felix’s head tightened and by the way his voice boomed, it was obvious he was somewhat enjoying the spectacle of ridiculing and punishing a vampire. “How many times do I have to repeat it in your stupid little head for you-“

“P-please!” For the first time in his life, Felix begged. “I-I want C-Chris… C-Channie Hyung!”

Chan ignored the burning gazes of the wolves all around him. He knew they were watching his every move, curious to see what their Alpha would decide. But he remained silent, keeping his eyes fixed on the show of punishment Changbin was putting on for them.

“Shut up! Is your little brain broken?! How many times have I told you to shut up?!” Changbin jeered, his chest puffing out at the way the other wolves were egging him on.

“Yeah!”

“Put that bloodsucker in his place!”

“Make him burn!”

“Do to him what he did to us!”

It seemed as if all the wolves were for putting up the vampire for torture. All but one.

“Hyung-“ For the first time ever, Seungmin stepped forward to stand before the pack on his own accord.

He clenched his jaw, his body tensing at the sight of the young vampire weeping pitifully. Felix lifted his eyes to meet the young wolf’s and upon eye-contact, Seungmin steeled his resolve.

“Hyung-“

“Stay out of it.” Despite the fury he felt inside, Changbin forced himself to remain calm as he stared at his younger brother with cold eyes. “Seungmin-ah… He needs to know his place.”

“… But Hyung-“

“YOU HEARD HIM!”

“STAY OUT OF IT!”

“BOO! SOFT SEUNGMIN!”

“Soft Seungmin? WEAK SEUNGMIN!!”

The other wolves sneered and snarled at him, but Seungmin didn’t so much as flinch. He merely stood taller and held his ground, courageously keeping his brother’s gaze.

“… He needs to know his place.” Changbin didn’t raise his temper, but he didn’t concede to the younger either. “He doesn’t belong here.”

Seungmin took another glance and the broken boy who continued to cry.

“… So send him back.”

Felix’s head snapped up as he stared wide-eyed at Seungmin. At the same time, Changbin’s eyes almost popped out of his sockets in disbelief as a collective gasp rippled through the crowd.

“Send him back?!”

“Let the bloodsucker go?!”

“And have him lead them to us?!”

“Seungmin’s just a blood-licker!”

“BLOOD-LICK-“

“ENOUGH.”

The crowd went silent instantly, everyone bowing their heads in respect. And it was only then, as everyone became absolutely still with their heads bowed that Felix finally saw him – Chan; Chan walking towards him with the coldest, most insincere smile that he had ever seen. Felix had never seen Chan make an expression like that, didn’t know that his attend– former attendant could make a facial expression like that. The look was so foreign, so distant, and it stopped his tears, shock throbbing through his being.

Felix remained in his state of shock, numb as Chan dispersed the crowd with words he couldn’t hear, silent as the older boy led him a few distance a ways from the pack to sit him down on a log. The young vampire stared with glassy eyes as Chan began to dress his wounds, cleaning the blood with alcohol before wrapping them with clean cloth, yet doing nothing about the cruel chains that were heavy on his wrists.

“…I gave you a chance, Master Felix.”

Felix remained silent as Chan tended to his wounds in his usual gentle manner.

“Why didn’t you run?” Chan looked up to face the boy with a patient smile on his face, the same smile he had whenever he was about to reprimand Felix.

A moment of silence passed between them, with Chan waiting for an answer that Felix was not sure how to give. When he finally found his tongue, the words that spilled from the vampire’s heart were not the answer to Chan’s question, but the bitter cry of his own grief.

“Y-you… You promised you’d stay with me forever-” Felix’s voice broke off into a sob, tears falling from his eyes as he gazed at his former servant with hurt and betrayal.

And despite Chan’s resolve to never go back, a piece of his heart broke off to see the boy he had protected for so long, crumble to pieces by his hands.

… I’m sorry Master Felix.

Chapter Text

As always, Yeji woke up before the day had come.

Yeji always woke up before the sun, but never before Hyunjin. The place beside her was always cold and empty when she rubbed the sleep from her eyes, yet the lingering scent of balsam remained – cinnamon, earthy, bitter… The aroma of crushed asters only adding to the abandonment she felt. With that being said, it was impossible to halt the soft gasp from escaping her lips when she woke up with her face only inches away from Hyunjin, his arm still around her waist as it had been the night before. He was so close, she could see the all the details, curves, and lines on his face – the wrinkle on his forehead caused by many years of scowling, the soft outline of his lips contrast to the sharp line of his nose and jaw, the fairness of his porcelain skin that highlighted his angelic appearance only when he was asleep. He was so close, he was only a breath away from her lips. It was unnerving.

She swallowed painfully and slowly attempted to pull away from him, but she had barely moved a muscle when his eyes shot open. Her breath caught in her throat and she gazed breathlessly at the pair of mirror blue, her heartbeat starting to speed up. Hyunjin didn’t say a word, so neither did she. She merely kept his gaze, a part of her wondering what he was thinking about so solemnly. But she didn’t ask and neither did he.

Slowly, she started to sit up and he let her, letting the arm around her waist fall to his side as he kept his eyes on her. Her throat felt dry.

They never exchanged greetings – no ‘good mornings’ or ‘did you sleep well’ between them.

Yet the silence along with Hyunjin’s gaze was so piercing that a part of her felt the need to speak. But before she could muster her courage, Hyunjin also sat up, his eyes intense on Yeji’s. She tilted her head, gazing at him wide-eyed in confusion. He leaned forward and Yeji recoiled, flinched, as if she had been burned. Her cheeks burned at the way his eyes narrowed, her heart starting to thump painfully in her chest. It was at his daring, inappropriate action that suddenly, she remembered.

Explosions, wolves, violence, murder… Seungmin.

The memories of last night came rushing back to her and she let out another gasp at the horror of it all. Tears began to well up in her eyes as she turned to her brother.

“Hyunjin-“

A hand cupped her cheek and the next thing she knew, there were hungry lips on top of her own, greedy and taking.

She pushed back, the shock of yesterday’s events still rattling her to the core.

“H-Hyunjin-“

He cut her off with another kiss, his free hand snaking around her waist to bring her impossibly close to him.

“H-Hyunjin…” She let out a whimper as he licked into her mouth.

He grunted, but he made no move to halt his advances, continuously taking her lips into his until she was out of breath.

“Hyunjin… I-it hurts.” She winced as his fangs scraped her lips, as if punishing her for trying to avoid his forceful advances.

He didn’t respond, but he did lick her swollen lip as if trying to soothe the wound before he dove back in to deepen the kiss.

It was a sin.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she held back a sob. Kissing her twin brother like this, laying next to him every night – it was more than forbidden, it was sin. But that never stopped Hyunjin. Nothing did.

Tears rolled down her cheeks as she whimpered and he loosened his hold, his kisses turning from taking to tender, almost as if he were trying to comfort her.

But while he took from her, her mind couldn’t help but wander to the boy with melancholic eyes.

Seungmin…

The boy with sad eyes yet tender warmth that Yeji longed for, faded away... all gone now. And it was as she and her brother committed sin that she prayed quietly in her heart.

Soverign Lord, please protect Seungmin.

Wherever he is.

Chapter Text

Abandonment.

That was the last thing Yuna recalled – Beomgyu holding her broken body down as she watched her pack escape into the night, completely helpless.

Wait… What about me? Don’t leave me… Please… Don’t-

Her dreams were shattered by a wave of freezing water that crashed over her, threatening to drown her. Yuna fell to the ground with a thud, coughing and wheezing as her lungs fought to breathe and expel the unwelcomed liquid in her throat.

Never mind that her back was still scalded by scars and fire from last night; no one spared another thought towards the burns on her face; no matter that her body was abused and broken from the night before. It didn’t matter. No one cared. Because she didn’t matter.

And she was once again reminded of that as she struggled to breathe on the icy ground, eyes watery and blinking desperately to refocus on the figures that loomed above her. Although hazy, she could barely make out the faces of the Head Butler and Master Beomgyu-

Her blood ran cold and she stopped coughing.

“M-master-“

“Get up, mutt.” The Head Butler’s voice was as hard as stone. “… I said, ‘GET UP!’” He kicked her side, causing her to wince.

“You dare show weakness in front of the Master?!” He spit out venomously. “Useless dog! Get up!”

At the mention of the code of living, Yuna jumped to her feet, only to crumple back to the floor immediately. Her head felt so heavy and she struggled to stand.

“Trashy filth… Absolutely USELESS.” Head Butler scoffed. “… Couldn’t even protect her master. You know what they say about useless attendants. A useless attendant is no better than a dead one- GET UP!” He kicked her across the stomach again, causing her to let out a cry of pain.

She felt so dizzy and so heavy, like a hammer was pounding her forehead over and over again, all while her skin burned.

“That’s enough.” Beomgyu told Head Butler sharply, although his cold eyes were fixated on Yuna. “I’ll handle my own slave.”

Slave.

That’s what she was. A mere slave – easily disposable and expendable.

Her mind flashed back to Beomgyu’s tears and painful affections the previous night, but as quickly as the memory came, it left. Because in the end, that’s all it was:

A thought, something that passed; here and gone.

The sincerity she received from her master was meaningless, because it never lasted. It was only yesterday, but it felt like a lifetime ago. It was all gone now. What remained was an angry master, with eyes glowing crimson like the color of her blood, fangs displayed in anger, skin as cold as ice.

All her emotions evaporated immediately as she forced herself up on her feet, her eyes becoming cloudy as she shut down her emotions to gaze at him with a neutral expression before bowing her head. Even when the Head Butler slammed the door as he left, she didn’t so much as flinch, already numb to what awaited her.

“Master-“

“Did you know?!” He burst out. “Did you know, Yuna?!” His red eyes glowed.

His rage startled her into looking up. She gazed up at him, completely dumbfounded.

“N-no…” Her voice was parched due to the abuse her body endured, but she tried to speak up. “I didn’t-“

“My mother’s in the hospital!” Beomgyu snarled, hands balling into fists. “So are my friends’ mothers! Our loved ones are injured! And there was a secret coup happening right under our noses and you didn’t-“

“I don’t know!”

Yuna knew she wasn’t supposed to interrupt, but she couldn’t bare it. Not when she had been left behind and abandoned by the very people who planted the coup, the people who were supposed to be with her forever – her pack.

“… I don’t know.” Despite herself, tears of frustration sprang to her eyes. “I don’t know. I was never told anything.”

“But you were the one who asked Jisung to dance in front of everyone!” His voice grew callous, his eyes narrowing into a glare that could rival death.

“I-it was punishment for a game.” She did her best to control her tears and regain her composure. “I lost the game… and that was the penalty.”

“You being a distraction was the penalty?!” He practically roared as he lunged for her.

She barely restrained her scream that threatened to erupt out of her at his painful grip around her bruised arms. Fear began pulsing through her veins as he loomed over her menacingly.

It was so painful. It was terrifying. And it was in the middle of her pain and fear that it hit her all at once.

“Up for a challenge?” Changbin looked pointedly at Yuna, waiting for her to nod.

Immediately, his eyes brightened with a devious glint.

“… Hot thimble.” He smirked, sharp eyes scanning the crowd on the Main Floor. “Loser asks a vamp to dance… gloves off.”

It was planned.

The game. Distraction. Changbin pointedly looking at her. Jeongyeon telling her to come to the gardens after she was done – it was ALL planned.

But Yuna would never let anyone know. No one. Never.

“I-I lost the game!” She insisted, shivering in his hold as tears fell from her cheeks. “Please Master! I-“

“Now you’re calling me, Master?” He was gripping her so tightly that she could feel the cold permeating her clothing to stab her deep within her bones.

Chilling, freezing, penetrating, unbearable cold.

“… M-master…” She pleaded, feeling like her arms were being hacked to pieces by the chill.

He stared down at her with apathetic eyes, his anger turning into callousness and indifference about the pain he was inflicting on his slave.

“M-master… p-pleas-“

“Yuna-” He cut her off, unfeeling eyes still flickering scarlet with subdued fury and something.

What that something was, she didn’t know. But what Yuna did know is that if he didn’t let go of her within the next five seconds, she’d greet death. So she didn’t think about the consequences of the next word that came from her mouth.

“B-beomgyu,” She let out a whimper.

The magic word. He let her go.

She dashed away from him, collapsing unto the floor in an undignified manner as she did so, but she didn’t care. She was too busy trying to regain her body warmth. She hugged herself as tightly as she could, running her hands up and down her arms as she desperately tried to generate body heat; all the while, cursing herself for being born with this body.

“… Your memory better return after a moment of rest.” He turned away from her heartlessly. “Tonight, I expect answers.”

“… I have none to give.” She wheezed out, her tears drying immediately at his cruelty. “N-nothing.”

And it was true. What could she say? All the members of her pack were gone and she had no idea where they went. She truly didn’t know anything. But it didn’t matter. Because Beomgyu didn’t believe her.

“Yuna-“ He tensed.

“Even if I did…” She looked up at him with teary eyes, a bitter smirk tugging on her lips as he turned to face her. “Y-you wouldn’t believe me.”

Her quiet voice caused him to stiffen, but Yuna kept her chin up, refusing to look away from his gaze.

“… You don’t trust me.”

And the truth of her own words hurt her more than any physical punishment or pain Beomgyu could ever inflict upon her. Because even after all this time and despite her animosity towards the vampire elders, the one person Yuna was committed to and would never ever betray was Beomgyu. She had loyalty to her pack, but she was also loyal to her master and would never allow them to hurt him. But it didn’t matter. Because she was an indispensible dog to Beomgyu.

“… Yuna-“ He started.

“I’ve told you everything I know.” She wiped the last of her tears on her sleeve and stood up, her eyes becoming hallow as she gazed at him stoically. “I can’t help you.”

She bowed her head to him in respect once again and closed her eyes, awaiting her fate of whatever Beomgyu had in store for her. But Beomgyu didn’t touch her again.

“…Not everything,” He muttered darkly. “You haven’t told me everything.”

And I never will.

Yuna couldn’t, not because she was scared of death, but because she knew that there were some things in life that were better left alone – like the line between vampire and wolf, master and slave. She would never cross that line. Never again.

She didn’t have a chance to reply because before either of them could say another word, the door flung open and the Head Butler was back inside.

“Master! The Head Mistress! She’s awake!”

“Mother?” Beomgyu’s eyes widened and he froze in shock for a split-second.

“Yes, Master! She requests to see you at once! She’s been calling your name ever since she was coherent!”

And that’s all it took for Beomgyu to go flying out the door, leaving Yuna with her head bowed to nothing.

“… Incompetent!” The Head Butler sneered at her before turning away. “It’d do you good to start cooperating! We have enough issues as it is-”

She remained quiet and was about to sink to the ground when his next words caused her blood to run cold.

“-if it wasn’t horrendous enough to injury our own Northern masters… Who knows what the South will do when they find out about the Marquess-“

She didn’t stay to listen to the end of his rebuke. Her feet moved on their own and without another thought, she began sprinting to the hospital.

Never mind that she had just undergone torture and her body was beaten and bruised, blood trailing behind her as the ground punctured her feet. Never mind that wolves weren’t allowed in the Medical Centers for their masters without explicit permission. Never mind that Yuna was probably the last individual any vampire in the North wanted to see right now. Because all she could think about was-

“-Master Jisung,“ Her voice died in her throat, blood rushing to her head and heart roaring in her chest as tears began to fill her eyes.

“You’re really cute!” A young Jisung grinned at her brightly, causing her to stare up at him in complete bewilderment.

“… Huh?” Her innocent eyes widened.

“You’re so cute! The cutest person I’ve ever seen!” He dug his hand deep into his pockets and when he pulled it out towards her, in the middle of his palm was a piece of chocolate.

Up to that point in her life, Yuna had never tasted chocolate before, but at his encouraging smile and enthusiastic nod, she clumsily took the candy from his hand, being extra careful not to touch his palm and only the candy wrapper.

She rapidly blinked away the memory along with her tears, only for a stronger one to take its place.

“Call me, Oppa!” Jisung reached out to gently tug on a braid, not enough to hurt, but enough to tease with a twinkle in his eyes.

“… Fine.” After the hundredth time of his relentless insistence to disregard status and proper titles, she finally caved in.

“Fine what?” He let go of her hair, falling back to lay on the soft, grassy ground.

“I’ll do it.” She nodded, although she felt too shy to look him in the eyes.

“Do what?” He asked obnoxiously.

“Master Jisung!” Yuna giggled, causing him to let out a faux gasp of offense.

“WHO on earth is that? THAT most CERTAINLY is NOT my name!”

“Ma-“

“Nope!” He rolled over on his stomach, propping himself up on his elbows so he could look at her with sparkling eyes.

“Bu-“

“Oppa!” He stubbornly lifted his head.

“Fine!”

“Fine what?!”

“Oppa!” Yuna burst, unable to control her laughter. “Oppa! Oppa!”

“Which Oppa?” He challenged.

“Jisung Oppa!” She fell over with a laugh, rolling over so that they lay side-by-side and even though they weren’t touching, she swore she could feel warmth from his presence rather than the usual cold vampires brought.

The memories only grow stronger, clearer, as if they had happened yesterday and not a lifetime ago.

“…What’s the sun like?” She looked at him curiously.

At her question, his smile broadened and he rolled to his side so he was facing her.

“Friendly.”

“Friend… ly?”

“It’s warm! And it brings life to everything. Like flowers and fruits and all! The sun’s amazing!”

“… Doesn’t it hurt your skin?” She stared at him wide-eyed, her brow furrowed in concern at the older boy.

“Well sometimes. And sometimes it can be too strong, causing deserts and stuff, but I like to think of the sun as my friend!”

He smiled at her worry and reached out to touch her hair, acting considerate as he always was, refusing to touch her skin if it hurt her.

“Like how you are.”

At his affectionate smile and words, her face warmed into a smile of her own as she beamed at him.

“… Can we go see it some day?” She asked hesitantly, afraid to offend him.

“Sure! I’ll take you to the sun! It’s a promise… My Lady!” He sealed his vow by dropping to a knee and bending down to give a kiss to her right cufflink.

She giggled and nodded.

Even though she had promised herself she would never cross the line between vampire and wolf, Master Jisung had been her exception.

“Here. A reminder of the sun.” He held out a sunflower, his voice wounded with apology and eyes meek with sincerity.

At that moment, Yuna knew, that no one was more sorry than he that she was unable to go see the sun. She smiled and took the flower gratefully.

“Thank you… Oppa.”

She couldn’t contain her tears any longer and they began freely dripping down her cheeks as Jisung filled her mind.

“Yuna?” His gentle voice.

“Yuna!” His sparkling green eyes.

“My lady!” His warm smile.

“Yuna, let’s play.” His beautiful tan skin.

“You’re a very beautiful and cute lady.” His kind laugh.

In her frenzy, she pushed past the attendants who tried to keep her out, ignored the indignant shouts of vampires and non-vampires alike as she forced her way through until she found his room. It was only when she had pushed the door open that it hit her… on how reckless she was. Also… on the gravity of the situation.

Because her dear Jisung Oppa- No… Master Jisung lied there. On the hospital bed. Lifeless. His body was like a corpse, a cold ashy grey in stark contrast to his usual golden skin. His lips were blue and there were deep lines on his cheeks. He wasn’t breathing.

She collapsed to the ground with a sob, her face completely wet from all her tears that she had shed as she ran here.

“M-master J-jisung- M-master- O-oppa, oh God!” Her voice broke as she wept bitterly, eyes unable to look away from his pale body.

Master Jisung, in all his kindness, handsomeness, gentleness… completely faded; all gone now.

She wept with tears streaming down her face, unable to give a care about her life mission, all her feelings transparent for all to see. She cried and cried, unable to control the wail that escaped her lips as her body shuddered with grief. In fact, she would have continued to weep until all her tears ran out had it not been for the fact that she quickly realized she was not the only one in his room.

She whirled around, goose flesh causing hair on her arms to rise at the figure who stood rigidly by the window in front of her. Even with tear-stained eyes and blurry sight, Yuna could recognize the individual who stood with his arms crossed in front of her in a heartbeat.

“… M-mister Minho-“ The sob was caught in her throat at his frosty stare.

She didn’t have to have clear sight to take notice of how his eyes were crimson with rage and his lips pressed tightly together in a scowl. He might as well have killed her with his glare.

“… Get out.” His voice cut through the air like a knife. “Out. Now.”

His words stabbed her heart and she felt as if all the air was knocked out of her lungs. Because it was an order, and one that Yuna had to obey. Because she knew if she didn’t, Minho wouldn’t hesitate to rip her body to pieces and use them as decorative pieces around his master’s corpse.

Holding in a sob and with a forced bow, Yuna slowly dragged herself out of the room, leaving footprints of her blood behind. She felt as if she had entered into a trance, her ears blocking out all the curses spat at her as she trudged down the corridor, her senses numb to any physical pain afflicted on her body. She didn’t feel. She didn’t hurt.

She eventually found herself in front of a door to another room and she blinked, half-hazedly wondering how she ended up here. But before she could move, the door flung open and she found herself face-to-face with her master.

Yuna’s heart stopped and she stared at him hollowly, only to be met with his unsympathetic gaze.

“… Get out of my sight.” Beomgyu pushed past her roughly, completely disregarding her desolate state, even as she was bleeding and shivering.

And with his words, her body came alive once more, numbness evaporating so that she could feel the toll of her physical state. But she refused to display weakness to anyone else anymore so she obeyed, turning on her heel as sprinting as fast as she could out of the hospital. And as she ran down the dirt trail that led back to the neighborhood, she found herself praying a sinful prayer.

‘Father in Heaven. Please… kill me. I can’t live like this anymore. Please-’

As if punishment for thinking such a sinful thought, she tripped and collapsed to the floor, completely weakened. She lay there in waste on the ground, shivering and struggling to breath, to get warm, her body fighting to preserve itself from the torture it went through. And as she lay, she found herself enchanted by the sky above.

It was cloudy, as it always was, and the ground was already frozen with ice, as if preparing itself for the snow that would arrive in a few days time. Despite hating the cold, Yuna always loved the snow, so beautiful and white.

‘Will I get to see it one last time…’

Despite her situation, her lips curved up into a bitter smile as her mind suddenly flashed back to happier days, of creating snow angels with her friends.

Ryujin Unni… Lia Unni… Chaeryeong Unni… Yeji Unni…

She remembered snowball fights in the fields with her pack.

Chan Oppa… Jeongyeon Unni… Changbin Oppa… Seungmin Opp-

Her reminiscing was interrupted by a pair of icy hands that hoisted her up.

“Ah-mph!“ Her scream was silenced by a vial to her mouth, a warm and bitter liquid of a strange color forced down her throat as she was stretched upon someone’s lap.

There was nobody else in sight along the path, with branches and brambles of various trees and plants shielding Yuna and her attacker from view as her attacker fed her the strange liquid. Initially, she retched at its vile taste, but her attacker’s eyes glowed red and so she obediently swallowed the rest of it as best she could.

‘Is this how I die?’ She thought hazily, closing her eyes.

Despite shutting them tight, tears escaped the corners of her eyes as she choked back a sob. She held her breath, expecting instant death from whatever poison she was given. Much to her shock, it was not death that awaited her.

The vile’s effects were instant – her body started warming and her heartbeat slowed back to its usual pace. But it wasn’t enough.

“M-more-“ She shivered, reaching out her hands, immediate trust towards her savior.

“An excessive amount will kill you.” Her savior murmured, bending down to kiss her forehead.

She whined, but aside from the initial striking pain at skin contact, her head cleared up and immediately, she felt more level-headed.

“Mister-“

But as quickly as he came, the vampire was gone, leaving Yuna on the ground with no traces of his presence. She blinked. She wondered if it had been a dream, but the undeniable chill she felt on her arms in contrast to the rest of her warm body proved otherwise.

Mister Minho… Mister Minho saved me.

And that was the last coherent thought she had before the sound of hell breaking open thundered, screams and smoke coming from the distance, from the direction of…

The Hospital.

Chapter Text

Chan’s eyes shot open as he woke up to the sound of exploding fire in the distance. He immediately jumped to his feet, eyes looking wildly around as he checked upon his pack mates.

Something wasn’t right.

The Insiders had instructed them to move east before dawn broke, covering their tracks with fragrance vials, created specifically to mask their wolf-scent. To camouflage, they were expected to move swiftly and stealthily, staying hidden amongst the trees. Before it was considered morning, Chan and his pack had journeyed quite a distance from their old homes, only stopping on the brink of exhaustion to finally get some sleep. However, as far as they traveled, they were still close enough for Chan to spot thick clouds of smoke rising to the sky.

Another attack…

Huening Kai warned him once they started the revolution, it would be a bloody scene for the next few days, the Insiders making their moves all over within the residence as Chan’s pack covered the outer bases of the North.

Thanks to the noise, his pack mates also began to rouse, but Chan felt a stronger sense of urgency grip his heart. He swiftly went through the sea of bodies that made up his pack, eyes scanning each and every one of them. The last person he examined was Felix, fast asleep with tearstains on his cheeks and the heavy chains still locked on his wrists.

Chan’s gaze remained on the younger boy, who had sobbed the entire night about Chan’s betrayal. And it was as Chan stared at Felix that it hit him all at once. What was wrong… What was missing.

“Yuna…”

“… Hyung?” Seungmin rubbed his eyes as he stretched, other wolves around him doing the same. “Wha-“

“Where’s Yuna?!” Chan couldn’t control the growl that escaped his mouth.

Instantly, sleep fled from everyone’s eyes and they all jumped to their feet. The air immediately loaded with weight as all tensed under the wrath of the alpha, teeth bared and eyes glowing golden. The pack bowed their heads in submission to the wolf who slowly walked through the crowd.

“… I asked. ‘Where’s Yuna?’” Chan’s voice was stern, his eyes narrowed into a glare as he looked around.

“She should be here.” Jeongyeon looked up, eyes flickering with confusion. “We made sure of it.”

“Then where is she?” Chan raised his voice in impatience. “Where’s the pup?!”

“We told her to go to the gardens so we could bring her with us. She’s here… She’s here… Isn’t she?” Suddenly, panic filled Jeongyeon as she broke through her submission and whirled her head wildly. “Puppy! Step forward! Yuna’s here! Right? Tzuyu, Dahyun! You’ve seen her right?”

The wolves’ formation broke as they began to look amongst themselves, trying to find the missing member. And through the commotion, Chan closed his eyes as he tore through his memory of the previous night.

Yuna was standing by the pillars with Seungmin, Changbin, and Jeongyeon. She was bickering with Changbin.

He and Felix went to greet them. Felix pulled him away to greet the Elders.

Chan went to greet the Elders with Felix.

There was a commotion so Chan turned around.

Yuna stood in the corner of the dance floor… dancing with Master Jisung-

Chan checked the pillars. Jeongyeon, Changbin, and Seungmin were nowhere to be found.

Chan could barely restrain his roar as his eyes shot open.

“What have you done?!” He snarled, glaring straight at the wolf whom he knew was responsible for Yuna’s absence.

Changbin.

Changbin flinched, but steeled himself to stand tall while keeping his head bowed in submission.

“Alpha-“

“I said she wasn’t to be involved. That was an order! What did you do?!!”

Chan’s domineering voice intimidated everyone into silence once again. Slowly, the pack backed away, forming a circle around the two wolves. All held their breath as they quietly watched the showdown between their alpha and his right-hand man.

“… I failed.” The words were like bile in Changbin’s mouth, but he forced himself to repeat them. “I failed.”

There was no other way to describe what he did, because that was exactly it. He failed Yuna.

“How did you fail?” Chan’s voice was calm, but everyone could see how his hands had curled into fists. It was taking every last bit of his self-control to keep himself from throwing the other wolf unto the ground.

“… I was supposed to escort her with us. We were-“

“Who’s idea was it that she dances with the vampire?” Chan interrupted sharply.

Changbin tensed.

“… I-“

“It was a game, Hyung.” Seungmin spoke up, stepping forward into the circle with his head bowed low. “We were playing a game… Yuna volunteered herself for the penalty.”

“Asking a vampire to dance at the Grand Duke’s party was penalty for a GAME?!”

Seungmin winced as they all flinched at Chan’s venomous roar.

“Alpha-“

“Who’s idea was it?!” Chan was gritting his teeth so tightly that they could hear his teeth grinding.

“It was mine.” Changbin said hurriedly, averting his gaze from Chan’s glare. “We needed a distraction so we could all get in position. She volunteered. And no! She didn’t know what was going on!” He quickly added, looking up in a show of bravery to meet Chan’s gaze, only to look away again. “We were about to leave. I was only a few feet away from her! I was going to take her! But in the last explosion… I lost her.”

I lost her.

Chan reeled at the confession, rage coming upon him like never before. He was absolutely furious, and it was coming out, his hands transforming into claws as his fangs grew out. He stood tall, his eyes radiating gold as they honed onto Changbin. The shorter wolf quickly braced himself, bowing his head as he awaited punishment. Chan had never been physical at discipline, but Changbin just knew this time, there was no escaping his alpha’s wrath. Only Chan didn’t get to discipline Changbin, through reprimand or brute strength…

Because Jeongyeon beat him to it.

The she-wolf lunged for Changbin, her fist connecting with his jaw with such impact that he stumbled to the ground, a cracking sound heard in his jaw.

“What in sh-“ Changbin didn’t get to finish cursing, because she grabbed him by the throat.

“Worth it?! You broke your oath and you say it was WORTH IT?!! I told you NOT to do it! YOU said you’d take care of her! YOU PROMISED!! SHE’S NOT HERE! SHE’S GONE-“ She screamed at him as several wolves pulled her off of him, thrashing and fighting against them in an attempt to lunge for him again. “YOU BASTARD! HOW DARE YOU!! YUNA! BRING BACK OUR PUP- OH YUNA-“ Her voice broke as she broke down, sobbing hysterically for the youngest member of the pack who was no more.

“I did what I had to do!” Changbin angrily wiped the blood that was trickling off the corner of his mouth.

“Who knows what type of God-forsaken torture they’re doing to her!” She snarled. “Either that, or she’s DEAD!!!!”

“Which is no different from what would have happened to all of us!” He screamed, whirling around the pack with a wild look in his eyes, daring them to contradict him. “If it weren’t for me, we’d ALL be DEAD!”

“No one gets left behind! That was the AGREEMENT!!!!”

“I DID MY BEST!!” He rumbled with anger. “I tried to save her! And I WOULD HAVE saved her if it weren’t for the last explosion!”

“Did your BEST?! Tried to SAVE her?!” She scoffed, rolling her eyes before staring at him incredulously. “Please!”

She let out a growl.

“The only thing you were thinking about was your HIT-COUNT!” She slumped, tears in her eyes. “You were just trying to kill as many of them as possible, you BASTARD! G-give me- Yuna! Oh, pup-“ Her voice broke as she let out a wail of grief.

And all while this was happening, Chan watched, his rage subsiding into the same grief that Jeongyeon felt as his claws turned back into hands and his eyes glimmered into brown.

Sovereign Lord, what do I do?

Suddenly, there was a sound of gunshot in the distance.

Vampires. Chan’s ears picked up. On their way. Coming close.

The wolves panicked, staring at one another in fear.

“They must have heard us through the noise.” Seungmin looked to Chan for guidance.

“Alpha, we need to go now!” Sana urged.

The wolves turned to their leader for direction on what to do.

We need to go.

Chan knew they did.

“… Let’s go.” Chan stood tall, shoulders perched back, and voice calm, even in the midst of chaos. “To the east.”

He shifted into his wolf-form, leading the rest of them to. Without the full moon, it was harder to maintain their wolf-forms, but he knew they’d be able to travel for at least a couple of hours before they turned back. And there was no time to waste now. He quickly rushed to where Felix was, hoisting the vampire onto his back before jumping in front of the path. Before he took off, he gave one meaningful look to Jeongyeon, who forced herself on her feet even with tears streaming down her cheeks. Before they broke camp and as she shifted into her wolf, Jeongyeon breathed a silent prayer.

‘Forgive me, Lord… I couldn’t save her… I’m so sorry, pup.’

Jeongyeon was inconsolable. She wouldn’t eat. She wouldn’t sleep. She wouldn’t even speak. All she did was weep, tears streaming down her eyes as she groaned with grief for the youngest member of the pack.

And while she grieved, Changbin stewed, anger and guilt consuming his insides and wrenching his guts. Because after Jeongyeon attacked him, it was as if he were cursed to picture Yuna’s face every time he closed his eyes.

“Changbin Oppa!” Her bright laugh as her eyes crinkled up in a smile.

“I was close.” Her stubborn pout as she insisted on taking on things she wasn’t ready for.

“…” Her sour face as he interrupted her session with Huening Kai.

“Stop it!” Her embarrassed, rosy cheeks as he teased her about her pining feelings.

God! Changbin was going crazy!

And it didn’t help that the bloodsucker Chan took along with them kept muttering stupid things throughout the day.

“I never hurt him… I would never…” Felix kept muttering to himself.

The young vampire was in a strange stage of mind, quietly mumbling to himself things that sounded like justifications of how he was a good master and what not, or how he was different from the other vampires. In other words, blabbering absolute rubbish, which was absolutely of no help at ALL when it came to Changbin’s mood.

“I always wore gloves… I’d never touch his bare skin… I never hit him… I’d never let anyone hurt him…”

Son of the night…

Changbin was about his wit’s ends.

“Shut up…” He clenched his teeth, turning away from the vampire who sat across from him.

Even though he was a hostage, Chan made sure to treat Felix decently, generously wrapping his outer cloak to keep the vampire warm. If it were up to Changbin, he’d make sure Felix froze to death before hacking him into pieces to feed the vultures. Changbin was already in enough trouble with the alpha as it was so he kept his gruesome thoughts to himself, but the vampire just kept pushing his buttons.

“Wasn’t I…” A sniffle from the vampire. “Wasn’t I good to him?”

THAT DID IT!

Changbin snapped.

“As good as you are to a dog!” The wolf growled. “Wasn’t you good to him? I bet you was! I bet you was good to him, letting him eat by your side, chatting with him nicely as he bathed you, doing your every beck and call! I bet you was. But you know what?! He was still a slave! Just like we were still slaves! You being good has NOTHING to do with anything!”

By this point, Changbin had lurched to grab Felix’s neck, ignoring the burning sensation in his hands.

“I bet you never even questioned twice about him calling you, ‘Master’.” He sneered, tightening his hold on his neck, causing the vampire to choke.

“How about I keep you as my pet and be good to you?!” He leered. “Such a pretty face with innocent eyes! I’ll keep you as my personal bat-“

He was cut off by a punch to his jaw, startling him into dropping Felix.

“You son of a-“ He swore, his eyes flashing yellow at the sight of a riled Seungmin.

“That’s enough, Hyung! Leave him alone!” For once, Seungmin’s calm demeanor was nowhere to be seen, his eyes flashing yellow as he stood protectively in front of the vampire who cowered on the floor.

“You-“ Changbin couldn’t even speak due to his disbelief.

“Enough!” But Seungmin held his ground.

After lifting his chin a show of defiance to the older, Seungmin spun around to face Felix, his brow furrowed in concern as he knelt before the vampire.

“Master Felix-“

“Master?” Changbin said incredulously. “Man, baby brother. You just want to go back to the old life.”

“Hyung, stop!” Seungmin glared as Changbin let out a breathless laugh and pushed himself off his elbows to stand.

“Be the slaves of these bloodsuckers?” Changbin jeered. “Who knows? Maybe they’ll like you enough to let you share their bed-“

“ENOUGH!” Chan’s roar shut them both up immediately.

Immediately, both wolves stood on their feet, shoulders back, and heads lowered in submission. Anger was radiating off Chan, causing both of them to shift uncomfortably.

“… Haven’t you had enough for a day?”

Changbin flinched at Chan’s callous tone directed towards him.

“And Seungmin… You know better than to use your fists.” Chan’s voice had an obvious softer edge when speaking with the younger wolf.

“… Sorry Hyung.” Seungmin muttered.

Changbin was too proud to apologize so he simply lowered his head, but he flinched at the sound of Chan’s disappointed sigh.

“... Nest.”

Both wolves’ heads shot up in alarm, but Chan’s expression was stern.

“You know we can’t have a fire. The younger ones are cold. Nest. Now.”

Seungmin grimaced as Changbin uttered a curse under his breath, but both morphed into their wolf-forms and grudgingly made their way to the group cluster to contribute to the body heat. Chan watched as they were soon jumped on by other members of the pack, biting his lip to hide his smile.

Thanks to their fiery disposition, the brothers were known for their exceptionally hot blood and were always the cuddling favorites of the nest – something he knew they both abhorred.

“… I’m sorry.” A small voice interrupted his amusement.

Chan froze, but his facial expression did nothing to betray his inner emotions.

“I’m sorry Chris...” Felix continued, new tears welling up in his eyes as his voice gradually became more and more hysterical. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I’m sorry! I’m-“

“Master-“ Chan’s stomach churned.

“Don’t call me that!” The vampire was all but bawling now, gasping sobs escaping his lips between words. “H-He’s right! I never thought of it! I-I never had to! I-I…I thought it was normal. I’m sorry! And you were s-suffering! I didn’t know! I-I’m sorry! I’m-“

“Felix!” Chan couldn’t bear hearing anymore and cut him off, dropping to a knee in front of his former master to stare him directly in the eyes.

Felix tried to control his sobs, but miserably failed as he shrank under his former attendant’s gaze.

“You didn’t know.” Chan’s eyes blazed with something akin to grief and compassion. “You didn’t know.” Chan repeated. “You’re innocent… I’ve never blamed you.”

“But-“ Felix choked.

“It’s not your fault! It’s not… It’s not your fault.”

After a day of turmoil, Chan finally allowed himself to reach out to touch the young vampire. Despite the cutting pain of skin, Chan’s hand cupped Felix’s left cheek and the vampire instinctively leaned into his touch with a whimper. Felix was affectionate by nature so not having any positive skin contact had been absolutely torturous, especially when it was held back by the one he cherished the most. But Chan had always been soft towards the young vampire so he gave in.

“You were the one person I didn’t mind… calling ‘Master’.” Chan gave him a genuine smile, his lips pressed so tightly together that it appeared as a grimace, but genuine nonetheless.

And Felix cried harder at the kind gesture, his chained hands reaching up to clutch at Chan’s fingers on his face, apology after apology trailing from his lips.

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry. Please don’t hate me… I’m sorry… I won’t do it again! I’m sorry… I’m sorry! Don’t hate me…”

‘Don’t hate me.’

Chan mused, staring down at where Felix was sleeping on his lap. Somehow between chanting apologies and weeping, the vampire had succumbed to exhaustion, resting his head on Chan’s lap as he clutched at Chan’s fingers – a habit from childhood. And despite raise eyebrows and wide-eyes of his pack mates as well as his own resolve that told him he shouldn’t allow it, Chan indulged Felix… as he always did.

‘Don’t hate me…’

I could never hate you, Felix.

Chan ruffled Felix’s hair gently, a gentle smile grazing on his face as he looked down at the innocent boy on his lap before looking back up to the moon.

Felix’s innocence reminded Chan of another innocent child he swore to protect.

Yuna…

Chan could not grieve out loud. He could not make a display of his emotions when there were so many in his pack unstable and shaken by what happened to their pup. But inwardly, no one knew his thoughts, his prayers… his grief.

Pup… My baby…

“-ALPHA!”

“OH MY GOD!”

“IS THAT?!”

“ALPHA!”

His thoughts were interrupted by a commotion so loud that he thought the ground was rumbling.

Felix jolted up with a whimper, but Chan soothed him with a gentle ruffle of his hair. Slowly, Chan withdrew from the vampire, who whined but released his grip. After giving Felix one last soft pat, Chan stood up, eyes hardened as he faced the noise.

He swiftly made his way to where his pack mates were clustered.

“… What’s going on?” His voice rumbled in mild displeasure.

The pack needed to stay quiet at least through the night, ‘lest they wanted to be on the run again too soon. They couldn’t afford attracting any more outside attention. However, the scene that unfolded in front made him freeze in his tracks, his heartbeat hammering in his chest.

“… It’s-“ Seungmin tried to explain.

“Yuna!” Jeongyeon sobbed in relief, clutching the unconscious child in her arms.

Yuna was visibly injured and unconscious, but alive. Yet it wasn’t Yuna who caught Chan’s attention. It was the individual BEHIND her, the one who had his pack on edge.

Chan’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“… Master-“

Chapter Text

The next morning, it was a miracle that Yuna woke up. It was purely by the grace and will of the Sovereign One. How else could she have survived the night of damnation?

After her encounter with Minho, the rest of her memories were a blur. Yuna had lay on the snowy path for just a few moments when the next thing she knew, she was snatched up by excruciating ice hands that dragged her away. She vaguely remembered screaming for her master.

“Beomgyu! Master Beomgyu! MASTER-“

“SHUT UP!!” A cruel blow to her mouth caused blood to flow.

And that was only the beginning of the nightmare. The rest of the night consisted of more slaps, whippings, beating as she was tortured for information.

“Where did they go?”

“I said don’t-AHHHH!” She screamed as her punisher dislocated her shoulder with his bare hands.

“You’d do well to cooperate now, slave.”

And despite the pain, Yuna was still able to direct her fiercest glare to the man in charge of her torture – the Grand Duke of the North.

Out of all the vampires, he was the most wicked of them all, an actual spawn of hell. If anyone should have been ripped apart on the night of the party, it should have been him! HE was the one who SHOULD have died – the soulless MONSTER who was responsible for creating the system of canis lupis slavery in the North. Nobody knew how old the Duke of the North was; only that he was an embodiment of the devil on earth.

But despite her suffering, Yuna bit her tongue and stared defiantly at him. After all, Yuna knew who she was. She was a child of light and a child of God. She would not bow down to any devil, especially this pagan demon with no fear of the Almighty.

So she resisted, she endured all the pain, all the torture. She had to. She wouldn’t compromise her identity as a wolf and saint for anyone, especially not for that wretched bastard!

She didn’t stay conscious for long. Her fragile body couldn’t bear the complete brunt of the inhumane torture so she ended up passing out, the last thing in her memory being the Lord’s Prayer.

‘For Thine is the kingdom… and the power… and the glory… for ever… Amen-‘

Her body went cold as she faded from consciousness…

But it was the cold that also revived her.

Yuna woke up to freezing ice pressed her forehead. She jerked awake, gasping for air as she struggled to sit up. Her eyes whirled around wildly, only for her to stop at the one who sat by her bedside.

Master Beomgyu.

Beomgyu sat on the corner of her bed, his eyes downcast.

“M-master-“ She croaked, before falling back against the cushions as she wheezed into a fit of coughs.

She was in so much pain, she couldn’t even speak.

Beomgyu wordlessly passed her a cup of water, which she took gratefully. It hurt even to gulp down the water, a burn rushing through her body. But it was still better than nothing. After she finished the cup, she tried to speak again, but Beomgyu beat her to it.

“Rest…”

“A-aca…demy-“ She let out a watery cough.

“I’m leaving now… Rest.” He refused to meet her eyes, staring soullessly at the wall instead.

“I… I g-go with y-you…“ She weakly protested, mustering all the strength in her feet as she kicked the covers off.

Gritting her teeth, she heaved forward to sit up. It felt as if every single bone in her body had been broken, but she refused to cry. She would not be weak any longer, she vowed. However, once she tried to stand on her feet, her legs buckled immediately.

She would have crashed unto the floor had it not been for Beomgyu’s quick reflexes. He caught her with a blanket, wrapping it around her securely before placing her back on the bed lightly.

“… Rest. That’s an order.”

“Y-you can’t g-go alone.” She struggled against the covering, her useless limbs flapping about to undo the blanket’s hold.

“Better alone than a guard who can’t even stand on her two feet.”

His callous words added to the helplessness she felt as she continued to flail, tears prickling the corner of her eyes.

“… I-I’ll c-crawl.” She choked on a sob.

“Yuna-“

“Everyone will a-accuse you of being a part of the c-coup-“ Yuna coughed. “… O-or they’ll accuse you… of having an i-incapable guard.”

The ‘if I don’t show up’ was implied.

For a moment, Beomgyu was silent, contemplating on what to do.

“… Let them think what they want.” When he opened his mouth, his voice was grave with finality. “… I know I have an incapable guard.”

He stood up and turned his back on her.

“Do not follow me to the academy today. That’s an order.” And with that final word, he left the room without a backwards glance at her.

Yuna felt her heart sink. Not at Beomgyu’s disregard for her capabilities, but at his disregard for the coup. Thanks to Yuna’s status as a wolf and his attendant, he could be accused of staging a political insurrection he knew nothing about. Or worse – he could be killed, and his title stripped away from him to be given to someone else. And Yuna wouldn’t let him do that to himself. Not even for her. After all, he was the only one she had now. There was no pack left.

Mustering all of her strength, Yuna pulled herself out of bed, only to collapse the moment her feet made contact with the floor. She let out a bitter wince, knowing that her expression of pain was ignored. But she refused to stay down and broken. Biting her tongue, she heaved herself up and willed her bloodied feet to haul her body out the door.

She felt delirious and it took her thrice the amount of usual time, but she finally made it to the Academy, limping along through the dirt. As she dragged her broken body along, she noticed that everywhere she went, a path seemed to open up for her.

She had expected more beatings and mockery to follow the torture she had undergone already, yet not a single being laid a finger on her. Hushed whispers from other attendants and spiteful glares from the corridors of the academy walls, but that was all. Nobody touched her. Not a single one. At the same time, nobody spoke to her either. She looked around from side-to-side, realizing there wasn’t an individual in sight that she could approach, that she could talk to. Everyone stood at a distance, eyes watching with tight lips.

Then, it hit her at once.

They were avoiding her. Every. Single. One.

Somehow, Yuna became the supernatural repellent – wolves, vampires, humans, it didn’t matter. No one would come near her. Everyone keep the distance of at least 6 feet, standing away from her and purposefully looking away when she would attempt to make eye-contact.

Probably an order from the demon of the North.

Her thoughts were only confirmed when she finally made eye-contact with someone she knew. Lia stood several feet away, staring at her in a mixture of shock and horror. However, the moment Yuna opened her mouth to call out, the human girl hurriedly disappeared, turning the corner.

‘Even you, Unni…’ Yuna thought bitterly.

When the bell rang to signal time for lunch, Yuna slowly but surely made her way to Beomgyu’s classroom, ignoring the venomous gazes from the other vampires who again, still didn’t touch her, avoiding her as if she was the last parasite on earth. To Beomgyu’s credit, he didn’t look the slightest bit surprised to see her there. Despite his warning, he let out a resigned sigh, as if he expected her to come.

“… L-lunch- lunch t-time…” She gritted her teeth.

Even speaking was difficult right now, her head starting to throb with the force of a pounding hammer.

As usual, he turned his head to the window in a motion of ignoring her the first time, as he had always done, as if it was just another normal day of Yuna coming to force him to eat lunch. And despite her migraine, the familiar gesture made her smile.

“… M-Master-“

“You didn’t bring the pouches.” He pointed out, stubbornly keeping his eyes away from her.

Oh...

Yuna silently cursed herself.

In her focus on arriving to the academy, she had neglected the minor details of packing his things.

“… I-I’ll g-go now-“

“Yuna-“

They were interrupted by a third party – a hand that slapped a metal pouch on top of Beomgyu’s desk with a force that could be heard by the entire room.

Yuna could feel the heaviness of the silence in the room the moment her eyes met dark Taehyun’s dark ones.

Taehyun, the Kang Merchant of the South.

Like all the other vampires, he was ethereal and extraordinarily handsome, with a tall nose and huge eyes that seemed to see all. Yet it wasn’t Taehyun’s beauty that stood out. No.

It was his uncanny intellect that was absolutely blood curdling.

From his calculative eyes to his supernatural wit to his exceptional sense of logic, Taehyun was a being admired and feared by all. And the scariest part was he wasn’t loud or boisterous. Oh no – quite the opposite, frankly. And that’s what made it even more terrifying. Because his arrogant silence carried more weight than any pretentious words ever could.

And right now, he was directing that spine-chilling silence towards Yuna.

She swallowed painfully and slightly shrank back at those abnormally huge eyes that stared at her with the most discerning judgment in the world. No one wanted to be on the opposite end of those eyes. However, Yuna was not like most people so even if she stepped back, she didn’t look away. She refused to look away – she would not bow to a vampire besides Beomgyu.

She didn’t realize she had been holding her breath until he chose to look away first.

“… Gardens, Hyung?” He posed the question to Beomgyu as if it were only two of them in the room, as if he hadn’t just stared the life and soul out of Yuna.

“Sure.” Beomgyu’s cold expression cracked into a playful smile as he stood up, bringing the pouch to his lips.

Neither of them chose to spare Yuna another glance as they walked out of the room together, staying close as they usually were, as if it were another day, as if Yuna weren’t beaten and bruised by Beomgyu’s desk.

I hate this.

She fought back tears.

I hate THEM.

She thought spitefully as she glared at all the other vampires who glanced at her with disdain.

It was apparent her body wasn’t fully recovered because she realized she had started shaking again, shivering due to-

Cold.

She was so cold.

Suddenly the air was frosty and she felt chills racking up and down her body. The cold was making her light-headed, causing her sharpened gaze to become lax as her eyes became hazy. She needed warmth. Immediately. ‘Lest she wanted to pass out.

Warmth.

She needed warmth.

Even for a half-wolf, she couldn’t stand the cold for too long. The first sign of sickness or injury for wolves was cold. Wolves’ blood ran hot so any weakening of immune system was cold. And there was only one remedy that worked supernaturally for a sick wolf.

Yuna quickly stumbled out of Beomgyu’s classroom and into the hallway. She began to heave and her body grew heavier with each step she took, but she forced herself to keep walking. She had to go.

Warmth.

She needed warmth.

She needed body warmth.

Skin-to-skin contact worked like magic. Perhaps due to the power of the pack, or maybe due to the reminder of the Creator of their identity as a communal people. Either way, body-to-body was the fastest remedy for her sickness.

She made it outside, her lungs screaming for air as she inhaled large breaths. Her eyes began to water as she choked, her limbs collapsing as the cold engulfed her like a suffocating fog. She wildly looked around.

There was no more pack, so there was no member she could ask. She would have to find someone else for body warmth.

But who?

Who would be kind enough to come near the wolf, branded both a mutant and traitor to the Duke of the North? Who would take enough pity to offer her a hand, even a finger, of physical touch so she could regain her body heat? Who? Who?

Warmth.

She needed warmth.

She needed body warmth.

Yuna could feel her breath becoming shorter and she knew she was running out of time. Her eyes met soft wide ones across the way so she hastily wobbled her way to… Jisung.

Jisung, not her Jisung Oppa, but just Jisung – a wolf and attendant to Master Chenle. There was a time Yuna thought his shy smile was the most endearing in the world, but that infatuation faded fast when it was apparent he was not like the other wolves. Master Chenle pampered him so he acted more like a vampire than a wolf. Nevertheless, he was innocent. He had displayed kindness to her before, sharing his confections and chocolates once or twice when no one was looking. If anyone would take pity on her, it would be him… young, gentle Jisung.

She stopped in front of him, gasping for breath.

Please.

She pleaded with tear-stained eyes, her hand slowly reaching out.

He avoided her.

He side-stepped so he could evade her touch and keeping his eyes down, he scurried away without another word.

Yuna felt her heart drop and she let out a sob, uncaring whether others heard her.

She needed heat. Her body felt like it was decaying away and if she didn’t get heat within the next few minutes, she knew she would taste death.

With no other choice, there was only one other place she could turn to.

She stumbled into the Chapel.

“F-father… Father!” She cried, falling forward and hitting the floor. She stared down at her scrapped hands and felt nothing. She needed warmth. The chills were hitting her full-force now and her body was shaking violently. There were no other thoughts in her mind except for, ‘cold, cold, COLD’, and it was killing her inside.

“F-father… L-lord! Please! A-anyone…” Her voice grew weak and despite herself, her eyes closed against her will.

Father, have mercy on me… please… please-

Warm hands gripped her shoulders tightly and she mustered all her strength to lift her head.

It was Huening Kai.

“Are you alright?!” He rapidly blinked, his voice full of panic. “What happened?”

His brown eyes were full of compassion and his hands were warm. She closed her eyes and leaned forward, collapsing on his shoulder.

“Yuna?! Yuna! Yuna! Hang on!” He immediately lifted her into his arms and she clung to his shirt, shuddering.

Warmth, she needed body warmth.

“Please…” She whimpered, her fist refusing to let go of his cloak.

He misunderstood and immediately discarded his cloak, wrapping her with it like a blanket.

“You’re cold, right? I’ll make you something warm! Just wait-“

“Heat-“ She practically wailed, causing him to freeze. “I need body heat!”

Her hand shot up to curl around his wrist and she yanked him to her, throwing her arms around him as she struggled to get warm.

But he was human… Human body contact was not enough. She needed a wolf.

She let out a wail of despair.

Lord, why keep me alive if you were planning to let me die painfully?

She began to cry, sobbing bitterly as she clung to the altar boy fiercely.

“Stay…” She begged. “Please… stay…h-heat…”

Her world went black once more.

“…yuna… Yuna…”

Yuna could faintly hear someone calling her, but she was so exhausted she couldn’t recognize the voice.

“…Yuna… Baby… Yuna?”

She blearily opened her eyes, but everything was blurry, faces and voices meshed together into an incoherent background. She was vaguely aware that she was laying down and was wrapped around with blankets. But she couldn’t stop shivering, couldn’t get warm with even all the covers around her. She blinked and felt her heavy eyes closing once more.

“It’s not working, Hyung…” Somehow she could recognize Kai’s voice faintly in the distance. “She needs a wolf…”

“We can’t go now! It’s too early!” Another person’s low voice argued. “I’ll get one of the other wolves-”

“The Duke of Violets gave an order that whoever associates with her will be punished! She’s already sick! Father, we need to send her!”

Why did Kai sound upset?

Yuna felt so confused, but she couldn’t keep her eyes open. She couldn’t speak or think.

“We can’t send her without Beomgyu becoming suspicious…”

Another voice she vaguely recognized, but couldn’t register.

“Then what… what do we do…”

Yuna fell back asleep. But she couldn’t rest.

The next few hours, she kept slipping in-and-out of consciousness, too cold to sleep and too hurt to rest. Additionally, she couldn’t tell reality from her subconscious, her dreams and memories blending together, causing her head to hurt from stress. Her body was broken and trembling and she just wanted everything to be over. She just wanted to rest.

“… brat… Brat? You alright?”

“C-cold…” This time, the person and dream was different from the others.

“You’re gonna be just fine! Don’t sleep just yet!

She was so delirious she could barely process who was talking to her.

As her consciousness began to fade, she was certain she was already dreaming. After all, why else would Hyunjin of all beings, be concerned for her?

Extra

Lia ran out the doors of the chapel so quickly that she didn’t notice that she lost a slipper. No. She didn’t care. She couldn’t. Not when there was something so much more important at stake. As she ran, tears began to fill her eyes and she choked back a sob as she tore at her clothes – pulling her sleeves down her shoulders and revealing more of her chest. Her hair was disheveled and her clothes, disarrayed as she finally made it to the meeting place, panting and crying as she fell before the feet of the vampire count.

“Sir… Please…”

“…” The vampire stared down at her with a neutral expression, his eyes as cold as always.

“Please…” She begged, weeping once again. “Please save her. Save the child. Oh-“ Her voice broke as she sobbed, pressing her head to the ground. “Please Young Master! S-save her! She can’t die like this! She’s innocent! S-save her! Save Yuna!”

As she pleaded tearfully, he was silent, probably contemplating what to do. But then, she felt something warm cover her bare skin. Lia forced her head up and realized that he had thrown his coat over her shoulders. Her eyes met with a pair of cold blue ones – Hyunjin’s usual frosty gaze.

No. His eyes only seemed unfeeling and cold, but when gazing deep inside his deep blue, anyone could see his eyes were anything but cold. His blue eyes, were like crystals of fire, passion and zeal shining through them.

He looked down at her and gave her a nod.

One nod. That was all she needed from the young master. Because with one nod, Hyunjin would move heaven and hell on earth to do what needed to be done. Nothing less could be expected of an Insider.

Chapter Text

Ambiguous.

That singular thought always came immediately to Chan’s mind regarding the Young Master of Asters.

It was ironic, really. Vampires were lauded as explicitly flamboyant, not ambiguous. They loved to parade their wealth and status with exquisite trinkets and charming words, not a hint of faux humility in their presentation. They lived to maximize their immortal lifespans, flaunting their unchanging youthful appearance and indulging in every new and latest fashion trend or obsessive craze. They had no fear of consequences regarding the developing world, living through the rise and fall of multiple empires throughout the centuries. And most significantly, they had no threat of death.

For who could kill a nightcrawler?

It was the primary purpose of a vampire’s life to live as extravagantly as possible, egotistical behaviors praised. There was no need to hide or mask their true selves, for vamps had no fears nor worries.

But Hyunjin was different.

Because despite his crafty demeanor and sneering attitude, the constant flickering of scarlet in his eyes displayed restraint, suppression.

Now was he meticulous? Certainly. Crafty?  Undoubtedly. Wily? Absolutely. Foxy? Emphatically. But ambiguous!

Ambiguous… There was no word that came closer to describing the enigma that was Hyunjin, the Heir of Asters.  His gaze was always calculating, eyes sharp and keenly observant as they honed on target. They were always probing, piercing blue that seemed to cut right through everyone’s flowery words and empty conversations. And they were extraordinarily perceptive, irregularly so, always darting around, always scanning the area. He was an anomaly amongst vampires, his strange behavior so unnerving that it forced Chan to remain on edge.

“I hate him-” Yuna once muttered, hiding behind Chan’s broad back to escape Hyunjin’s watchful gaze. “-especially his eyes… They’re so creepy!”

“They’re the same as your ‘friend’s’.” Changbin snorted, a sarcastic emphasis on ‘friend’.

“No, they’re not!” Yuna protested indignantly, glaring daggers at Changbin. “Yeji Unni’s eyes are BEAUTIFUL! As clear as the ocean blue! And kind! Not cold, lifeless marbles like that blood suck-“

Hyunjin turned the ‘creepy’ blue in their direction, freezing the wolves in their tracks.

Chan feared nothing, was surprised by nothing. But at that moment, he understood why his youngest pup abhorred those eyes. Because those icy blue marbles could absolutely haunt ghosts the way the Young Master of Asters used them to stare them down.

And Chan found himself wondering, why the young master born with a golden spoon, with no reason for tomorrow’s worries, appeared displeased and disturbed all the time.

As Hyunjin stood before him now, displeasure and disturbed made sense. Because this ambiguous vampire standing in front of a pack of wolves with an indomitable look on his face, was an “Insider”. And not just any “Insider” – this “Insider” was the one who had saved them once, and then again. Because he had brought Yuna.

But Chan couldn’t dwell upon Hyunjin’s identity for too long; not when it was clear that Yuna was not well, in the slightest. 

“She’s freezing!” Jeongyeon’s voice went up two pitches in hysterics as she clutched to the pup desperately. “She’s too cold!”

“She’s hurt!”

“Pass her to Hyung!”

“Give her to Alpha!”

“Alpha!”

“Alpha!”

The pack clamored, quickly passing along their pup to Chan and as he took her in his arms, he could see why everyone was so agitated. Despite being bundled up in the warmest of cotton, she was as cold as winter ice, completely unresponsive. Her purple eyelids were shut, lips blue, and skin as pale as a leper. And she was barely breathing, chest heavy and heaving, as if her body was struggling to keep her alive.

‘My little one…’

Chan quickly unraveled the blanket around her and tossed it to the ground, removing his own shirt within the same second. He was completely numb to the biting wind or winter cold despite his naked torso. He tightened his grip and held the half-dead girl to his chest, breathing out a prayer.

“Pup…”

He laid her on the blanket, a makeshift mat against the frozen ground. He stretched himself on top of her so that they were lying chest-to-chest, his arms encompassing her thin frame to wrap protectively around her.

She didn’t stir.

He pressed a kiss to her forehead, her left cheek, then her right one. A soft kiss to her nose and chin.

She didn’t move.

‘Mercy.’

He covered her lips with his.

Breathe in, breathe out… Breathe in, breathe out… Breathe in, breathe out…

‘Please!’ He begged in his heart and soul, screaming his silent plea to the only One who was meant to hear.

He slowly pulled away.

The silence was heavy upon his pack, tension strangling all of them by the throats. But then Yuna let out an exhale in her sleep, pale skin slowly recoloring to a faded tan as her breathing evened out.

“GOOD GOD!”

“THANK GOODNESS!”

“GLORY!”

As all the other wolves wailed to the heavens in gratitude, Chan quickly sat up and bundled her up in his arms once more, cradling the youngest member of their pack to his chest. Unconsciously, she snuggled deeper into him.

“… alpha.” She mumbled, a small smile warming on her face in sleep.

‘Oh, thank God!’ A stray tear escaped his eye.

“Thank you, Master Hyunjin!” Jeongyeon was the first to express her gratitude, throwing herself on the ground before the vampire to bow her head low, sobbing. “Bless you! Bless you!”

“… I am not your master.”  

Those were the first words, Hyunjin uttered since he arrived with Yuna at the glade.

While some wolves also followed Jeongyeon’s example and bowed in gratitude, others eyed the vampire with wariness with one wolf in particular refusing to bend.

“How did you know where to find us?” Changbin’s eyes narrowed, voice deepened with suspicion as he glared at the vampire.

“I’m the one who drew the map.” Hyunjin didn’t bat an eye at the suspicious glares, blue emotionless gaze fixed on Chan and Yuna.

“But to know the exact location in the deep forest?” Changbin countered, sneering through his nose.

But the vampire didn’t rise to his taunts nor catch offense at the accusation. He merely moved his gaze to stare at the aggressive wolf with sharp eyes, lips pressed grimly together.

“… You’re not the only one who can see through the dark.”

His honest admission silenced the pack.

That was right… Vampires’ powers were also best enhanced during the moonlight.

A chill ran through the crowd as everyone stiffened at the realization. The wolves slowly turned to their leader, who remained impassive, holding the pup to his chest. Before Chan could say another word, Hyunjin swiftly turned around. While some wolves glanced nervously at the exiting vampire, Chan didn’t say a word to stop him. But as quickly as he left, Hyunjin returned with three large baskets stacked on top of one another in his arms.

“… Rations.”

Baskets of bread, cheese, cured meats, and ale were quickly passed around, breaking the silence and tense atmosphere.

Chan remained silent as he sat down on a log of a withered tree. He didn’t intend to eat, too drained from the turn of events and still in shock as he held his pup to his chest, but to his surprise, Hyunjin came to sit beside him. The vampire quietly took something from his pocket to present to Chan. When Chan raised his eyebrow, Hyunjin clarified.  

“A regeneration vial… Too much of it can kill you, but this much will give a surge of strength when you have none.” The vampire held it out for the wolf to take.

“… thank you.” Chan took the vial from Hyunjin’s palm.

The vial was warm to the touch, the color, reminiscent of vomit, but Chan accepted the gift nonetheless.

“You may need it sooner than you expect,” Hyunjin’s voice was grave as he fixed a solemn gaze on Chan.

“The map said to go south-” Seungmin sat across from them, eyes inquisitive. “… in two months time.”

“That was a decoy-” Hyunjin’s eyes momentarily flashed when he glanced at Seungmin. “In case it fell into the wrong hands.”

He dug into his coat pocket and pulled out a scroll, unraveling it onto the ground. It was a new map, so new that the paper was crisp and the ink, barely dried.

“… East?” Chan blinked, exchanging questioning looks with Seungmin before he turned back to Hyunjin.

But rather than answering Chan’s inquisitive look, Hyunjin chose to respond with a question of his own. 

“… Have you ever heard of ‘the king’s warfare’?” The vampire stared intently at Chan, blue eyes flickering ruby.

“’The king’s warfare’…” Chan echoed, his brow furrowing in confusion.

“A story from the Old Book. To escape the mad king, the lion of Judah fled to the land of his enemies, offering his life to his adversary. Every day, he claimed to destroy the towns of his homeland, but in reality, raided towns within the adversary territory, leaving no witnesses or survivors to reveal the truth of his betrayal. It was titled, ‘The king’s warfare’ – a strategy of double-crossing and betrayal with guerilla warfare.

“… 1 Samuel.” Seungmin hummed. “The tactic of silent conquer… but why east?”

“South is too obvious.” Chan answered for Hyunjin, who gave a curt nod.  

“Yes… The Duke expects escape to the South. He’s already mobilizing an army-” Hyunjin folded his hands together tightly as he averted his gaze to the frosty ground.

“… How much time do we have?” Jeongyeon joined in, sitting beside Chan’s other side so she could take Yuna from his arms and cradle the pup on her lap.

Yuna didn’t stir, asleep like a newborn babe.

“… seven days.” The vampire lifted his eyes so that the wolves could see his stony expression.

A heavy silence fell upon the older wolves, Jeongyeon’s face twisted in horror as Seungmin and Chan grimaced.

“… A week?” Seungmin blinked slowly. “… just to go east?”

“If only it were that simple-“ Hyunjin scoffed. “This is the route. And those-“ He pointed to the symbols along the map. “-those are the mines.”

“You want us to hit the mines?” Seungmin’s furrowed his eyebrows.

“I need you to DESTROY the mines.” Hyunjin corrected. He took out another thing from his jacket pocket and laid them on the floor.

Chan stiffened when he saw what they were.

“… matches?” Jeongyeon looked at the vampire curiously.

“Explosives-“ Changbin interrupted with gritted teeth, coming to stand beside Seungmin.. “… like the ones at the party.”

His burly arms were crossed over his chest as he glared at Hyunjin with blatant distrust.

“One is enough for each mine. Once ignited, the coal should take care of the rest.” Hyunjin ignored the hateful stare, keeping his eyes on Chan.

“… so we conquer east.” Seungmin raised an eyebrow, face set in an emotionless expression.

“But how will conquering the east help?” Jeongyeon looked puzzled.

Hyunjin didn’t answer, choosing to look at Chan expectantly, a small smirk forming on his lips.

“… We’re cutting off their fuel supply.” Chan’s eyes widened in realization, as did the rest of the pack.

“Why aren’t we going west? Cut off their food supply?” Changbin sneered.

“The west is too big. Too vast. And it’s surrounded by vamps. That’s suicide.” Chan frowned at the other’s aggression.  

“That’s where we come in,” Hyunjin nodded. “Insiders, west and inward. Wolves, east, moving outward… And-“ the vampire paused, glancing over at Yuna, before turning back to Chan. “-the South.”

Thanks to selective hearing, the whole pack heard that.

“The South?”

“SOUTH?!”

An excited murmur and cheers echoed amongst the wolves.

“I KNEW they were for us.”

“The South is saving us?!”

“… And then what?” Seungmin shared a look with Changbin and Jeongyeon before turning back to Chan.

“… we-“

“War.” Hyunjin’s voice interrupted Chan as well as cut through the clamor like a sword, a unsettling silence falling upon them.

But even more unsettling were his eyes – no longer icy blue, but blood scarlet boiling with barely controlled fury. Chan had never seen the vampire look so agitated, had never seen ANY vampire appear so... so… enraged. Hyunjin stood up, hands balled into fists, completely seething with pure anger.

“… It is the only way to end this. War. Blood would be shed.” The vampire nodded, hardened face set with bitter resolve.

“-Like the night of the party?”

Chan nearly jumped out of his skin at Felix’s pitiful voice that came out of nowhere. He had completely forgotten about the young vampire, formerly his master, now bound in chains as his prisoner. And it was evident that Chan wasn’t the only one shocked, because everyone else also tensed up. The only one who wasn’t startled at all was Hyunjin.

“… More.” Hyunjin confirmed, crimson eyes unwavering.

“… why?” Felix’s voice was raw with emotion, practically a sob.

It was as if the two vampires were the only ones in the area, eyes locked on each other – one full of rage while the other, filled with sorrow.

“Because…” Hyunjin deliberately paused, standing tall as he allowed his next words to ring loud and clear in the winter night. “-That is the price of freedom.”

At that moment, any mistrust, hesitation, or ambiguity Chan had about Hyunjin completely disappeared. Because this ambiguous vampire was the first to say aloud that Chan and his pack were worth the price of freedom, that the wolves were worth the price of spilled blood. Chan knew at that moment, he could trust Hyunjin with his life.

Unfortunately, it seemed as if not everyone agreed with Chan’s sentiment.

“… What do you gain from all this?” Changbin sneered, eyes darkened with anger. “Don’t tell me it’s your good will-“

He was interrupted by not one, but SEVERAL warning growls as Jeongyeon and the other she-wolves bared their teeth at him. They had no qualms displaying their hostility at any insult directed towards the savior of their youngest pup.

“Mmm…” Yuna suddenly let out a sigh, causing everyone to hone their attention on the youngest pup.

“She’s hungry…” Chan quickly turned to his pack. “Get her something to eat.”

The wolves quickly dispersed to set up a meal, leaving only Chan, Changbin, Seungmin, Felix, and Hyunjin in their circle of conversation.

“H-how could you-“ Felix’s voice broke off, tears falling from his eyes as he gazed at Hyunjin with betrayal.

But Hyunjin merely turned away from Felix to fix his gaze on Yuna instead. She had a healthy glow in her skin, but her face was still discolored from all the torture she endured, beatings and abuse that were beyond humane. Her sickly frailty was comparable to someone nearing death.

“… how could I not?” Hyunjin turned back to Felix coldly, gesturing to the wounded pup in Jeongyeon’s arms.

And Felix could only drop his head in shame, stew in silence at the painful realization of his current reality.

It wasn’t too long after when Hyunjin stood up, ready for departure.

“… We must go.” He gave Chan a curt nod.  

“Who’s WE?!” Changbin snarled. “Because you’re a fool if you think we’ll send the spoiled bloodsucker back with-“

“I can’t take Felix.” Hyunjin voiced bluntly. “That’s a direct confession of what I’ve done and who I am. Which would be suicide-“ He paused, glancing at Felix before turning back to Chan. “… I’m surprised he’s still alive.”

His cruel words caused Felix to flinch, letting out another pathetic sob as he hunched over. Chan took in a sharp breath and stiffened, only for shame to instantly hit his conscious. He had no right to be upset at Hyunjin’s callousness because it was the truth. Felix should’ve been dead the moment Chan discovered his presence in the pack.

“Then who the HELL is ‘WE’?!” Changbin’s growl interrupted Chan’s musing, as well as sobered him up with bitter realization.

Chan realized it even before Hyunjin’s gaze twisted into penitence, cold blue eyes full of remorse. He understood it as the vampire let out a few deep sighs, cerulean eyes darting around to give meaningful glances to a particular pup. And through the silent agony he felt in his heart, he knew what the vampire was going to say before the words left those lips.

“… She can’t stay here.”

Yuna couldn’t stay.