Your Vanilla Scent (Junhao)

Jun

Jun felt bad for this doctor he'd never met. He really did. From what Myungho had said, it sounded like Dr. Lee hadn't been given much of a choice on his new condition.

And to be mated to Soonyoung? That had to be...brutal.

But it was hard to focus on that little shred of empathy because more than anything, Jun was pissed at how upset this all had Myungho. He could feel the little jolts of anxiety, of worry and stress, coming from his sweet vampire since the day before.

It had Jun's inner beast unsettled, restless, even. It didn't like for their mate to be discontent in any way.

But the frustrating part was, even with the bond, Jun couldn't tell exactly why Myungho felt so anxious. Was he feeling responsible for the doctor? Worried Soonyoung would turn others?

When Jun had asked, Myungho had mumbled something about all the trouble he was putting his friends through. Which...all right, Jun could understand feeling guilty a little about that, if he were in Myungho's shoes. But why so anxious? Did Myungho really think his friends wouldn't have his back? This group of vampires that so clearly adored him?

Was Myungho really so unsure of his own place here?

So Jun was more than a little on edge when they made their way back to Soonyoung's mansion.

Surprisingly, the vampire let the three of them—Myungho, Jun, and Seokmin—wait in the sitting room with him while Joshua went to check on Dr. Lee upstairs.

Still, Soonyoung remained standing, posture ramrod straight as they waited on Joshua's verdict. A verdict Jun had serious doubts about Soonyoung honoring, were it to go any way other than what he so clearly wanted—Lee Jihoon remaining at his side.

Seokmin glowered from his spot in an ostentatious armchair clearly meant more for aesthetics than comfort, looking a moment away from leaping up and following Joshua up the stairs. "Have you passed your message on to the den? That Myungho has protectors? That he is not to be trifled with?"

Soonyoung tipped his chin, his head cocked and gaze distant, half his attention clearly on trying to make out the discussion upstairs. "I did. I made some phone calls yesterday."

Seokmin's glower deepened. "And why did it take you a full week to make a few phone calls?"

Soonyoung shot him a look, face placid. "It didn't. My attentions were focused elsewhere, I'm afraid. I could apologize, if you like, but it would be terribly insincere."

Seokmin waved an irritated hand, brushing off the nonapology with some vaguely French sound of disapproval.

"And that's it?" Jun clarified, when neither of his companions seemed eager to speak up. "Myungho's free from them?"

Soonyoung shrugged genteelly. "I've done what I can. I alerted them Myungho had found himself a mate and a den. I may also have intimated that said mate had ties to...Eastern shores." Jun startled at that. He hadn't realized his Mafia ties would be any sort of deterrent to a rival vampire den. "I also dropped hints of Hendrick's fate. If they're smart, they won't try to provoke a war. They'll either disband or start building up their own resources. I'm sure they've managed to siphon at least some of Myungho's funds off him already."

Jun looked to Myungho, who was plucking at the tassels on one of the couch pillows, seemingly entirely unconcerned by the prospect of his money being slowly stolen away.

"And if they come anyway?" Jun asked Soonyoung.

"Then we'll go," Myungho said softly, eyes on his pillow, even as Jun felt threads of sadness leak through the bond. "You and me. We won't put anyone in danger."