ɴɪɢʜᴛꜱʜᴀᴅᴇ | 𝖂𝖔𝖔𝖘𝖆𝖓

𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 23: "𝖀𝖓𝖊𝖆𝖘𝖊"

𓊈𒆜𝕮𝖍𝖔𝖎 𝕾𝖆𝖓𒆜𓊉

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The moon hung high in the sky, casting an eerie silver light over the forest as we moved swiftly through the trees. The cool night air carried the scent of the hunt—an unmistakable mix of earth, life, and potential prey. Tonight was meant to replenish and sharpen our instincts, a necessity for vampires. But my thoughts were somewhere else, or rather, with someone else.

I'd left Wooyoung back at the mansion, where he stayed behind with Seojin, Hyunwoo, and the fox. It was a calculated decision, and one I still wrestled with. After my loss of control during our last feeding, I couldn't risk feeding from him again—not yet. The fear of hurting him, of giving in to that primal darkness and crossing a line, had lodged itself deep in my mind. I needed time to re-center, to regain the control I prided myself on.

And then there was Aeron.

He had joined our hunting party tonight, ostensibly to learn more about our methods and strengthen ties, but I knew the real reason. I didn't trust him. Not after the way he lingered around Wooyoung at the ball, the way his eyes lingered too long on him, or how the necklace reacted in his presence. His interest in Wooyoung unsettled me, and though I hadn't voiced my suspicions, my decision to bring him along was deliberate. If Aeron was up to anything, I'd rather keep him close, where I could watch him.

The group moved quietly, our footsteps barely disturbing the forest floor. Yeosang was ahead, his sharp senses leading the way, while Mingi flanked him, his calm demeanor masking his keen awareness of everything around us. Aeron was behind me, his movements smooth but carrying a hint of something too calculated, too deliberate, for my liking.

Yeosang crouched nearby, his crimson eyes scanning the darkness, ever vigilant. Mingi leaned casually against a tree, his calm demeanor masking the sharp mind that took in everything around him. Aeron stood apart from the group, his stance relaxed as he brushed imaginary dust off his sleeve. Despite his casual posture, I couldn't shake the feeling that every move he made was deliberate, calculated.

"You've been unusually quiet, San," Yeosang remarked again, his voice low but carrying an undertone of concern. "Your mind seems elsewhere."

I exhaled, knowing Yeosang wouldn't let it go this time. "Just thinking," I replied vaguely, glancing at him briefly before letting my gaze sweep over the shadowed forest.

Yeosang raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. "Thinking about the hunt or something—or someone—else?" His tone was pointed, but there was no malice in it, just his usual sharp observation.

Before I could answer, Aeron's voice cut through the quiet. "Let me guess... Wooyoung?" he said, smirking as he adjusted his coat. His tone was light, almost amused, but there was an edge to it that set my teeth on edge. "You've got quite the attachment to him, don't you? It's fascinating."

I turned to face him, my expression calm but my voice cold. "Careful, Aeron. You're treading dangerous ground."

He raised his hands in mock surrender, the smirk never leaving his face. "Relax, Lord San. I'm just making an observation. It's rare to see someone like you so... invested in a human."

Mingi shifted uncomfortably, his gaze flickering between Aeron and me. Yeosang stood, his posture rigid, watching the exchange carefully but remaining silent. The tension in the group was palpable, hanging heavy in the crisp night air.

"You assume too much," I said evenly, my voice low and steady. "Wooyoung is more than you can comprehend. He's not just a human, and he's certainly not someone you have any right to discuss."