Chapter Text
If Euijoo were to describe his life, he would say it was pretty lonesome. Sure he had his share of happiness but that was just bits and pieces. The omega longed for the connection that destiny promised him. He was not a stray nor was he a lone wolf. Yet, often, it sure felt like that.
Another season, another wedding to be celebrated, and another couple to be blessed by the moon. Yeah, Euijoo knew the cycle by heart by now. Still, the ache in his heart only doubled each time, especially knowing that he probably would never have the chance to experience that in this lifetime. Jealousy was his true best friend whenever he heard anyone in the pack talk about the happiness of finding their true love. Shame also blessed him with its presence whenever anyone talked about his fate in a hushed whisper or showed pity for an unfortunate omega. Of course, he knew he was unlucky, there was no need to gossip about it too. Still, Euijoo could never bring himself to be angry directly or hate anyone in the pack for finding their happiness or showing concern for his condition. He just wished he was the one being happy this time.
Sometimes, Euijoo wanted to give up the whole ordeal of finding his destined mate. However, it was easier said than done. Whenever he had those thoughts, he always ended up sick or having the worst heat of his life. When that happened, there was nothing he could do but succumb to fate while praying that the torture would be over soon. The omega blamed whoever created them and destined them to have a partner for life.
Well, where was his? Being the only adult omega in the pack who hadn't found a mate and all, Euijoo was left wondering when his time was. Like, if you want to arrange all of them in this way, then get the job done correctly, why make some of them miserable?
At this point, he was sure his mate wasn't from his pack or any pack nearby. The omega knew his parents also suspected this fact. So why were they so adamant to not let him leave and roam the world? It wasn't like he was gonna leave forever or going missing without news. He only wanted to find his love. If he was meant to be next Luna of the pack then shouldn't they support him in finding his pair for life? Euijoo truly couldn't understand them sometimes. Instead, his parents had brought him to see their pack's seer.
Unfortunately, the wise man only became the barrier of bad news when he told them that he saw nothing on Euijoo's mate- no visions, no signs, nothing but void.
Thus, either his mate wasn't born yet, though it was highly unlikely for a werewolf to have a mate with such a wide age gap, or his mate had died before meeting him. Even then, the seer should still be able to get a read if it was any of those two options. There was a third possibility though, a rare case where one was destined to not have a mate. But Euijoo refused to acknowledge that, he knew his mate was out there somewhere. He believed that his mate was suffering just like what he felt his whole life. He wouldn't get all those bad consequences unless so.
There were times when the agony of being alone amid festivity got so unbearable that Euijoo chose to isolate himself. The omega would blame himself if he ruined a very happy day simply because he was born unlucky. Today, Euijoo chose not to attend K and Fuma's wedding ceremony. He was ecstatic for them but he wasn't sure he could even fake a smile if he were there. Therefore a few hours before the wedding, Euijoo grabbed his sketchbook and his pencil before escaping to this river, far enough from his pack.
Usually, Fuma would be the one who found him in his isolation time but since the man was pretty occupied tonight, Euijoo figured he could have more time alone. Still, he picked a further spot than usual so whoever was sent to fetch him would come slower.
Glancing up at the moon, Euijoo sighed. "Must you be so cruel to me?" asked Euijoo. He had been sitting next to the stream on one of the big rocks for hours, just drowning himself in his drawing hour after hour.
However, every time he tried to empty his mind and focus on what to draw, all he could think instead was spending the rest of his life alone and in despair. Frankly, the thought itself frightened the omega. And it looked like his feeling was mirrored on the piece of paper in his hand which was now filled with big black lines. Frustrated, Euijoo tossed the book aside and pulled his knees close to his chest.
On this quiet night, Euijoo's cries were loud and clear. They said that the stream would take your sadness away as it flowed endlessly. Yet, all Euijoo noticed was how calm the water was, opposite to his heart which was a havoc. He begged the goddess for a miracle to happen right here and now.
"Why are you crying? Are you unsatisfied with your drawing?"
The sudden unknown voice put Euijoo on immediate high alert as he looked up at the source. There, across the river stood a man, a fine-looking man that was. Under the moonlight, that man's skin glowed bright, so pale in comparison with his. His scent however was so foreign to his nose. Despite being mesmerized by the appearance, Euijoo quickly realized who was standing across the river. The stranger matched all the descriptions that were given to him from one of his training- pale skin, somehow smelled like death, and the lack of shadow on the ground and reflection on the water.
Not exactly who but more like what kind, that man was undoubtedly a vampire- the destined enemy of his kind. He might not have a problem with this guy but from all the warnings he heard, it was best that he got away as soon as possible.
It was the first time Euijoo saw a vampire, let alone this close without protection from any alpha or beta in his pack. Nicholas had joked once that if the omega found himself face-to-face alone with a vampire, he should start running fast. At that time, no one took it seriously because none of them had any intention of leaving Euijoo unprotected against the mortal enemy of their kind. Funny how life worked out.
Either way, running was what Euijoo had planned to do.
"You know it's rude to just stare blatantly at someone, right? I know my beauty is unparalleled but still," asked the vampire again.
Something shifted in him, Euijoo believed it was fear. He had never fought with a vampire but heard many stories of how ruthless their kind was. And the omega certainly was not in an ideal condition to fight, even if he had some initial training. To be fair, Euijoo did know that this river was awfully close to the border between the vampires and the werewolves' territory. It was one reason of many why he chose this exact spot, to be as far away as possible from all the happiness. He simply didn't envision that his luck would run out this very night. If it came down to it, then he might as well say goodbye to the world.
Having zero intention of replying, Euijoo hastily gathered his things and slid down the rock. He wasn't going to stick around to see what a vampire could do.
Unfortunately, as Euijoo was about to take his first step, he suddenly found himself trapped between a vampire and a rock. The vampire's arms were leaning on the rock behind him, caging the omega closely. Euijoo instantly froze on his spot, he didn't even see him move. That guy moved so fast, too fast that he cut through the wind, blowing a few strands of the omega's hair in the process.
"Why are you such in a hurry now? You looked calm sitting here for hours before. Surely, it isn't because of me, right?"
Euijoo was unable to mask his shock, "Y..you were here the... the whole time?" asked Euijoo. Stuttering speech and widened eyes, Euijoo was highly nervous right now. The omega had been sure he sensed no one else around before.
"Of course, and the whole time I watched you, I got hungrier and hungrier..." the vampire smirked as he moved a strand out of Euijoo's forehead.
Shivers ran through his body as fear started to consume him. Yet, his body refused to move a single muscle as if he was enchanted by the other. His heart felt like it was about to lapse out of his body. This time, he felt like crying from a true terror. He couldn't think of a single way to escape this life crisis. Regretfully, he should've asked how to outrun a vampire before.
"Let me have a taste, okay?" whispered the vampire as he leaned closer to the crook of the wolf's bare neck. Euijoo could feel the vampire's breath tingling his skin in this distance. For the first time, Euijoo was scared for his life. The omega didn't want to leave the world unhappy, he hadn't even said goodbye to his family and friends.
"You smell so good, I bet your blood will taste amazing too. Should we prove it?" said the vampire, inhaling the omega's skin deeply as he pushed the latter closer to the rock behind. He radiated such coldness that left Euijoo shivering from top to bottom. No one had ever gotten this up close to him before, he never had anyone else nose or lips touching his skin on one of the most sensitive areas.
"Please don't eat me!" Euijoo squealed loudly. His body still refused to budge, even his fight-or-flight response was too scared to show.
The vampire only gave him a big smirk as if amused by the reaction from his prey. Euijoo chose to shut his eyes tight, unable to witness his own doom. The elders taught him to never let a vampire bit you, but he never really asked what would happen if one did.
Would he die? Would he turn into one? Now Euijoo lamented paying no attention. Guess, he would find out the answer soon enough. The vampire should get it done quickly before he spiraled even more.
Goodbye world, I shall meet you in the next lifetime. At least, my mate will be spared from the pain.
However, the pain never came. Instead, the choking presence lessened drastically and a burst of laughter filled the air right the next second. There was no more unwanted person in his personal space and Euijoo could finally breathe freely again. Betrayed by his legs feeling like jelly, the omega had to lean on the rock for support so he wouldn't fall into the water below.
"You should've seen your face!"
Peeking through his right eye, the omega couldn't believe what he was witnessing. The vampire was crouching down while holding his stomach from laughing too much, even tears were gathering in the corner of his eyes just from how hard he was laughing. Euijoo was completely baffled by the whole situation.
"Do you really think I'm going to eat you?" asked the vampire between his laugh that hadn't seemed to cease a bit.
"Aren't you?" asked Euijoo, still puzzled by how abrupt the situation was. One second he feared that his life was ending and the next second he found out that it might not. It didn't make sense at all to him.
"I drink blood, that's it. Well, I could also drain you dry and break your neck in the process but that's beside the point. Likewise, shouldn't eating meat be more of your specialty as a part of wolf and stuff?" asked the vampire as if he was pointing out the obvious. Had it been in any other situation, Euijoo would retort back that he didn't eat raw meat unless he was in his wolf form which he wasn't.
Now, Euijoo was rendered speechless. He couldn't get his head around the fact that this vampire was just messing with him from the beginning.
What a jerk.
Every werewolf he met would describe a vampire personality as ruthless, cold, and solemn. No one had ever pointed out that they could be a prankster as well, a cruel one on that. Seeing how he hadn't stopped roaring with laughter from scaring a poor werewolf to near death, Euijoo felt irritated rather than scared anymore.
"Hey stop laughing first!" demanded Euijoo, unknowingly pouting his lips just like when he sulked at K because the alpha ignored him.
The vampire simply waved his hand at him, a gesture to tell him that he couldn't. Fully annoyed, Euijoo stomped his feet at the latter as he started to walk away from the creature. If that vampire wanted to laugh then he could do it alone.
"You're a jerk. I hope you choke on your laugh" muttered Euijoo under his breath.
"And you're just too cute. Also, I can't die that easily too, remember?" said the vampire, catching one of the omega's hands to stop him from walking further,
"I don't care" snorted Euijoo but he stopped nevertheless.
"I'm sorry, okay? I didn't think you would get that scared" said the vampire, trying to put on a kind smile, "You must have never met a single vampire in your life, right?"
The two were now just staring at each other's orbs like a staring contest to see who would blink first. And the loser happened to be the omega who broke the stare off first,"Is it that obvious?" asked Euijoo
"Yeah, I mean one who did wouldn't dare to get this close to the border alone, especially not an omega," said the vampire
"H..how do you know... I'm an omega?" asked Euijoo
"You smell different, way sweeter" shrugged Heeseung, "Also I met a few omegas before. But only you who were this brave though, or should I say reckless?"
Looking at the ground below him, Euijoo felt somehow stupid. This gave him Deja Vu as if he was being scolded by one of the older werewolves, "I.. I just need to get away..." whispered Euijoo, getting emotional again.
"Hey, why the frown?" asked the vampire, finally letting go of the other's wrist. Frankly, they both forgot that their hands were still in contact with each other.
"N..nothing, it doesn't matter," said Euijoo, he wasn't about to spill his unfortunate life with someone he just met, let alone a vampire.
"Alright but keep in mind, you shouldn't be alone this far again. You're extremely lucky that I'm one of the nice ones. Unfortunately, I can't say for the others. And you might not be so lucky next time" warned the vampire.
That was a pity, Euijoo kinda liked this spot. It was so quiet and peaceful for him, just the reassurance he needed. Noticing his expression, the vampire suddenly nudged him on the shoulder.
"I know what it's like to want to run and hide from the world but even in those times, you should always prioritize your own safety," said the vampire
Euijoo frowned deeper, why was the prankster vampire suddenly turned into a wise one? He wondered which one was his real personality, he couldn't fathom him at all. With shoulders and ears dropping, Euijoo resembled more like a part of a kitten than a part of a wolf. At least, that was what the vampire thought.
"Thank you for the advice..." said Euijoo, pouting but still bowing at the latter.
"You won't do what I say, right?" asked the vampire
Euijoo only shrugged. He couldn't make a promise that he wouldn't be here again but he would consider the vampire's words.
"How about this? I will be here every two nights around this time. So if you feel like coming here, you'll just come then. I'll keep you company since it seems like you need one, we can talk, do something, or we can just mind our own business like earlier" offered the vampire
"Why? I don't know you and you don't know me" asked Euijoo, raising his eyebrows in suspicion. Stranger danger, you know?
"Well, I've lived too long and I'm honestly bored. I don't mind making a new friend. Also, you don't seem like a bad company too" said the vampire, "Perhaps, I could also invite my friend and I'll show you that my kind isn't as scary as everyone thought. Times have changed and so do we"
So he was some kind of project to the vampire, huh? Something tugged at his heart. Disappointment? Impossible.
"I'll think about it... and..um.. thank you" said Euijoo, "Not for the prank though, I will hold a grudge for that"
Chuckling lightly, "Fine, I'll make it up to you somehow. Anyway, I think you should probably head back now before your pack sees us together and get the wrong idea" said the vampire
"Yeah, I probably should. I think I've been gone too long" said Euijoo, feeling more relaxed than before.
"I sense no one else around so you should have no trouble heading back," said the vampire
"Thank you, even if you're a jerk," said Euijoo
"Hey, it was a joke" protested the vampire, "You just looked too naive not to be teased."
"See? A jerk" said Euijoo. Though at least, they knew both didn't mean harm now.
"Fine, I guess I deserve that," said the vampire, "Seriously though, you should really be careful, I didn't lie when I said you smell good"
Euijoo only shrugged, he never thought he would hear that from a vampire. He didn't even know whether he should take it as a compliment or a bad thing.
"See you around, Mr. Vampire jerk," said Euijoo, waving his hand as he walked away.
"Hey, I have a name you know" yelled the vampire
"You never told me" yelled Euijoo back, stopping on his track to turn at the vampire
"Heeseung, Lee Heeseung," said the vampire
"Mine's Euijoo... Byun Euijoo" said Euijoo before walking again.
Euijoo kept thinking about the encounter he just had as he made his way back, such an interesting event in the midst of his awful day. At least, despite today being a bad day for Euijoo, he ended up with an unexpected future friend.
Who knew what other interesting plans life had for him, right?