A Tale of Vampires: RETURN

ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ 23

"Jake had already confirmed this…and Ej became your mate." Heeseung said in a wary tone.

And the moment those words left his mouth. The couple was rendered speechless 

"W-what do you mean?" Danielle asks with a completely shocked face.

Jungwon looks at him with a shaky expression. He fears that it might cause a wedge on their relationship. Nor disappoint the lady who left her everything behind to come to him.

"I-I don't understand… How is this possible?" Danielle asks and desperately looks at Heeseung and waits for an answer.

"We were surprised too. I may have expected this to happen since Ej lived after you drank from him. In every case, a victim that survives a vampire's mark will turn them into a mate." Heeseung explained and then he checked to see Jungwon's reaction.

"B-but… I-isn't he an ancient wolf? L-like K? Taki said that his brother and his officials have been there since the very beginning of their pack being found." Jungwon stated and the way he looked so desperate somehow broke Heeseung.

He hates to see the younger that way. Ever since Jungwon returned, it's been hard to see him happy. Which made them very thankful for Lady Danielle because she was able to make Jungwon open up to them again.

"Yes… That's true. But being an ancient wolf didn't exempt him from a natural rule." He said almost like a whisper.

Jungwon lowers his head and pulls on his hair in frustration. The two watched as the vampire groaned and tried to suppress his emotions. 

"Don't let him get away." Heeseung said to Danielle telepathically when he sensed that Jungwon will run off to the forest in that state.

Daniell immediately rushed to her mate and placed her hands on both of his cheeks. Forcing him to look at her.

Danielle stared at his blood red eyes. His features had become more visible and she would have praised him if not for the reason.

"Don't. If you let this get to you, your bloodthirst will control you again." She said with a strict tone. 

She was scanning Jungwon's eyes as if she's looking for something.

His sanity.

"I'm not disappointed in you if that's what you're worried about. And I'm not leaving you just because of this! I know this happened because I was not by your side and you suffered greatly because of it."

"W-what are you talking about?" Jungwon frowned and immediately shook his head. "This isn't your fault. Why would you say something like that. This is my mistake!" 

"No! This is my fault too. You wouldn't have to go through that if I was here to help when you needed me."

"Danielle that's not—"

"I'm the one who asked you to mark me. But I abandoned you when I should've taken responsibility."

"Wha— That's not true. We both agreed on this! This isn't your fault! I'm the one who lost my control!"

"I know!" Danielle's voice was strong and firm. She looks up at Jungwon with a serious look and caresses his cheeks. "That is why we're taking responsibility together…"

Jungwon was speechless after she said that. He's both confused and baffled as to why Danielle said that. Although it relieved him that she wasn't disappointed. But he still can't understand why she's not when they both know how a mark is very sacred to be betrayed just because he lost his control on which he has the power to not do so.