And so the lamp became the beast

Tamed by a vampire!

Ryujin parked her Jeep in front of Namjoon's house. Bangchan jumped out of the back, which he had insisted in riding in standing up, and Chaeryeong slid out of the hole where the passenger door should have been. Ryujin had taken off the doors and roof of the Jeep. The wolves weren't cold, even though the temperature was barely pushing forty-five degrees. Bangchan loved the wind whipping through his short hair. He truly was a big dog.

Ricky and Ni-ki jumped up from where they were on the porch with Namjoon. He was telling them stories. Ni-ki came running to the Jeep. He jumped on Ryujin, who caught him and swung him around. "Hello, little one. Guess what!"

"You told her!" Ni-ki looked at Ryujin, eyes shining.

"No, I did not tell her." His face fell. "But I kissed her!"

"Ew, that's great!" He yelled as he made a face. He squirmed until she put him down. "Ryujin kissed her imprint! Ryu's super gross!" He seemed unsure if he was happy or disgusted, so he chose both.

Namjoon looked at Ryujin. Ryujin shrugged. "That's good news for you, Ryujin." He seemed conflicted. "I worry that the pack is too close with the coven. It's unnatural." Chaeryeong rolled her eyes and Bangchan shrugged. "We were never meant to consort with them. We were meant to be wary of them."

Ni-ki and Ricky looked between the older wolves and Namjoon. Ryujin folded her arms over her chest. She tried not to let this make her angry. "I didn't choose this life," Ryujin said quietly. "I didn't choose Yeji. But if fate makes these decisions, as I know you believe they do, then it seems the pack was destined to join forces with them."

Namjoon nodded, but he still looked bothered. "I would imagine our ancestors are rolling in their graves."

"No offense, Namjoon, but they're not my ancestors."

Namjoon furrowed his brow. "In a way though, they are." He looked awkward. "Have you told Jimin?"

"About what?"

"The vampires."

"I have not."

"Don't you think you should?"

"I don't know that I can. That's not my secret to tell. This," she indicated all the wolves around her, "is my secret."

Namjoon sighed heavily. "I'm sure I seem like a stuffy old man." Ryujin shrugged. "I just, I've been raised a certain way. Imprints are predetermined, but there are some things that I struggle with. Our legends didn't prepare us for this." Ryujin looked at Namjoon. He didn't seem to have malicious intentions. "When you dated the Hwang boy, I was worried for your safety. Now, I know that you can handle yourself, but the whole pack is around them all the time. What if you forget that they're dangerous? What if you forget what you're supposed to be doing?"

Bangchan stepped in. "Dad, we'll never forget what we're here for. We protect our people. Ryu knows that. The boys know that."

Namjoon seemed unsure, but he kept any other reservations to himself. "I'm sorry Ryujin, I know she's your mate." He ran a hand through his long black hair. "San wanted to see you guys as soon as you got here. He's at home with Lily." Bangchan jumped onto his porch and hugged his dad before they all set off on foot.

"That was awkward," Ryujin said.

"He means well." Bangchan shrugged before continuing. "Dad's believed in some archaic ideas for a long time. If I had been raised the same way, I probably would too. Actually, let's be real, I hated the Cullen's until you imprinted on the Ice Queen." Ryujin punched him. "Ow, dude! I'm just saying!"