The Lunar Vanguard (SunSun)

Chapter 3: Someone knows

When Sunoo woke up in the hospital, terror gripped him immediately. The sterile, unfamiliar surroundings and the sharp smell of antiseptic triggered a surge of panic. His heart raced, pounding so hard it felt like it might burst from his chest. Every muscle in his body tensed, and his breath came in short, ragged gasps. He tried to sit up, but pain shot through his body, making him wince and gasp in fear. Memories of Jisoo and his friends flashed through his mind, intensifying his anxiety.

"Hey, easy there," came a soft voice. A young man with a gentle expression was sitting by the bed, his face filled with concern. Sunoo didn't recognize him, and the stranger's presence only heightened his panic.

"Who are you? Where am I?" Sunoo's voice trembled as he struggled to catch his breath, his eyes wide with fear.

The young man, Jungwon, raised his hands in a calming gesture. "My name is Jungwon. You're in the the pack of Lunar Vanguard, but you're safe. No one's going to hurt you."

But Sunoo's breathing remained rapid, his body trembling uncontrollably. Every noise, every shadow seemed to be a threat. His mind was a whirl of fear and confusion, unable to process that he was out of danger. The trauma of his past, the years of living in fear and isolation, and the recent terrifying encounter with Jisoo had left deep scars on his psyche. He felt trapped again, unable to escape the ghosts of his past.

Jungwon watched Sunoo's panic with a sinking heart. He tried to talk to him, but his words were lost in the air between him and the trapped boy. He could see the young man's fear, the haunted look in his eyes that spoke of deep, unresolved trauma. Jungwon's heart ached at the sight of his distress. He can see the older is going into a panic attack. Realizing that words alone wouldn't be enough to calm him, he made a quick decision.

"I'm sorry, but I need to help you relax," Jungwon said softly, his voice steady but urgent. He placed his hands gently on either side of Sunoo's head, his eyes changing colours to silver.

A soft, warm light emanated from Jungwon's hands, and Sunoo felt a wave of drowsiness wash over him. Despite his initial resistance, the magic took hold, and his breathing began to slow. His muscles relaxed, and his eyelids grew heavy. The magic was gentle, soothing the raw edges of his fear and pain, offering a temporary respite from the storm inside him.

Sunoo's eyes fluttered shut, and he slipped back into a peaceful sleep, the terror finally ebbing away under the calming influence of Jungwon's magic. As he slept, the lines of fear on his face smoothed out, and his breathing became even and deep.

The moment Jungwon removed his hands from around Sunoo's head, a tear slipped from his eye. Sunoo’s vulnerable state had allowed Jungwon to see his core memories, and what he saw broke his heart. From the age of twelve, Sunoo's memories were filled with a relentless sadness, a life no one should ever have to endure.

Jungwon stayed by his side, watching over him, determined to keep him safe and help him heal. He understood that Sunoo's journey to recovery would be long and fraught with challenges, but he was resolved to help him through it. Sunoo had suffered too much already, and Jungwon was determined to be a source of comfort and support as he navigated the path to healing and finding his place in the pack.

__________________

Sunghoon and Jay entered Jungwon's office in the hospital shortly after receiving Jungwon's urgent call. The atmosphere was tense, the air heavy with concern and unspoken questions. They found Jungwon sitting at his desk, his face a mix of sadness and determination.

Sunghoon's eyes immediately darkened, and a pang of guilt surged through him. "Is he going to be okay?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. He felt an inexplicable sense of responsibility for the young man lying on the next room, even though he had never met him before.

Jungwon glanced up at Sunghoon and Jay, his expression grim. "He's stable for now, but his condition is serious. He's been through a lot, both physically and emotionally."

Jay, standing by the door, folded his arms and looked at Jungwon with a furrowed brow. "What exactly happened to him? Is this a threat to the pack?"

Jungwon shook his head slowly. "It's not a threat to the pack, at least not directly. Sunoo was attacked, but this wasn't just a random act of violence. He was... sexually assaulted."

The room fell silent as Jungwon's words sank in. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on them. Sunghoon clenched his fists, a mix of anger and guilt churning within him. "How did this happen? Who did this to him?" he demanded, his voice shaking with emotion.

Jungwon sighed, rubbing his temples as he tried to find the right words. "I couldn't know everything. He is very ustable emotionally, his memories are mostly a haze, but he isn't a threat to the pack. He was attacked and left infront of our border to death. I can tell they didn'teven recognize our territory".

Jay's expression hardened. He can feel the younger is hiding something from him. "Jungwon..."

Jungwon looked at him with determination. "Trust me. He is in no way a threat to our pack."

Jay sighed. "We need to ensure this doesn't happen again, not near the pack. But right now, our priority is his recovery. What can we do to help him?"

Jungwon nodded, appreciating Jay's trust. "Right now, he needs rest and a safe environment. Physically, his injuries are severe but treatable. I've done what I can for the immediate wounds, but he'll need time to heal fully. Emotionally, though, this is going to be a long and difficult process. He needs to feel safe and supported."

Sunghoon's shoulders slumped, the weight of guilt pressing down on him. His wolf was howling inside of him.

Jungwon placed a reassuring hand on Sunghoon's shoulder. "This isn't your fault, hyung and if you're really his mate, he will need you the most. You need to make him feel safe."

Jay nodded in agreement. "We'll make sure he's protected. No one will harm him again as long as he is in our territory."

Jungwon looked at both of them, his eyes filled with determination. "He needs all the support he can get. We'll help him through this, together. He's part of our pack now, and we take care of our own."

Sunghoon and Jay exchanged a glance, both silently agreeing on protecting Sunoo and help him heal.