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The door closes behind Seongje with a quiet slam and there’s that instinctual impulse to turn and break it down.
‘Wolves don’t like being trapped, and with the full moon so near, his instincts rise closer to the surface more than usual.
But, he reasons with himself with some wry humor and human logic, he’s not really trapped.
He can leave any time he wants.
He doesn’t have to be here.
Baekjin can suck his dick.
He doesn’t have to let Baekjin’s precious fledgling feed from him.
He’s not some common ‘Wolf shackled to the Vampire Host.
He can do whatever the fuck he wants.
He’s the Alpha of the Ganghak Wolf Pack and he would rather die than take a kneel to the Master Vampire who sits on the Yeo-Il throne.
Werewolves being slaves to the Vampire Host are an old, antiquated condition that his ancestors have fought against and won. Now they stand equal with the vampires and Seongje has the kind of pride and ruthlessness that will not let anyone forget that.
And yet, he must still bow to tradition, because tradition is what keeps the peace, something his younger self would never understand and sneer at. But he’s older now, wiser probably, far less impulsive and with so much more responsibility so he doesn’t throw Baekjin’s proposition to his face and go off on a destructive huff back to his pack lands.
His potent, coveted blood in exchange for Baekjin’s support against a common enemy.
Seongje’s initial reaction holds. He could have lunged and snapped Baekjin’s neck for even suggesting it to him. Litter his castle with the bodies of his immortal glittering court and howl to the moon in triumph thereafter.
Werewolf blood is rich and potent, enriched with the kind of power that makes ‘wolves near invincible: preternatural strength and fast-healing abilities.
Is it any wonder why werewolves have been hunted mercilessly by vampires before? That they have warred for millenia?
They have peace now but some things still remain.
Vampires only really understand and acknowledge blood, and Seongje should not have expected anything else.
“I should take your fledgling to bitch,” Seongje had replied testily at Baekjin’s audacious proposal, his teeth baring in a wolfish grin and a growl rolling deep in his chest.
Baekjin had just met his blazing eyes and bared fangs with his usual cold assessment of his every word and action. “He is my fledgling. Take him to mate. Tighter bonds between us would only benefit us both.”
Seongje snorts at remembering Baekjin’s words and it makes him reach into his tell-tale, thick burgundy coat and bring out a cigarette and his silver-lined lighter, ignoring the slight burn and focusing on the grounding effect the silver in his hand puts on him.
Baekjin and his fucking presumptuous propositions.
Take a fledgling as his mate. Is he insane?
Him mating a vampire, especially one from Baekjin's pure and esteemed bloodline, would be a catastrophe waiting to happen.
He’s just managed to light his cigarette, a spark against the silver moonlight from the open windows and the low illumination of candlelight, and taken a drag when he feels eyes on him.
Wide, doe eyes are watching him. They stare from a young, elfin face and for a moment, Seongje thinks he’s been tricked and trapped with one of the Fey but no. Baekjin doesn’t deal with them and any fey creature worth their wings would have destroyed him the moment he had stepped through the door.
So no. This is no fey but the Fledgling.
They’re tiny and frail-looking, but it’s always wise not to underestimate fledglings. Armed with near unquenchable thirst and untamed killer instincts, they could lay waste to unsuspecting prey in no time flat.
Seongje idly wonders if Baekjin does mean to do away with him after all.
But the Fledgling seems calm, lucid. They sit perfectly still and proper in a high-backed chair near a window, moonlight falling over their slight form and delicate features. They’re dressed simply in a loose shirt and pants. A moment of contemplation makes Seongje realize that they’re wearing what looks like pajamas. He doesn’t let his gaze wander to the Fledgling’s feet to see if they’re barefoot.
Fledgling skin is so sensitive after all, and given how Baekjin seems to take particular care of this one, they’re dressed like this (and most definitely shod) for their comfort.
Seongje decides not to be offended by such a break in polite protocol. It’s not as if he really cares for such things, but he has come to expect a certain degree of courtesy from Baekjin and his court of exact manners and politesse. People around here usually dress more formally, especially for an audience with someone of importance.
The Fledgling seems to finally remember themselves and they stand and come closer, making a little, polite bow toward him.
“Alpha Geum Seongje. It is an honor.”
Seongje watches the Fledgling straighten and lift their eyes to meet his.
That gaze is clear, unflinching, and Seongje finds himself minimally impressed.
At least Baekjin’s beloved fledgling isn’t some pathetic, pandering worm.
“You look normal,” Seongje points out point-blank, sharp gaze looking over the Fledgling even more like how one would look over a curiosity. “How long have you been a fledgling for?”
To their credit, the Fledgling doesn’t even blink at Seongje’s bluntness. “A couple of months, Alpha.”
The formal address makes Seongje smirk, teeth clenching the filter of his cigarette absently. Oh, he doesn’t deny he likes that. Somehow, the pretty little fledgling makes the expected deference enticing.
“So, what could a fledgling beyond their teething need my blood for?”
Seongje watches the Fledgling look at him, then slide their gaze to the side, to the bared skin of his throat over the neck of his shirt. Those wide, dark eyes fix on the spot and Seongje almost feels its weight like a physical touch. It’s the first indication of the Fledgling’s true nature and hunger and the Werewolf Alpha can’t deny how that thrills him.
Seongje has always been attracted to danger, no matter how it may prove to be too easy to escape.
“I’m still always hungry, Alpha,” the Fledgling admits plainly, eyes on Seongje’s throat and doesn’t really notice Seongje coming even closer, so close that their chests could touch. When they notice, they jump back, a quick, instinctive move, and Seongje finds himself laughing.
Seongje sighs and pulls his cigarette away from between his lips, exhaling smoke effortlessly.
Those eyes are watching him and the Fledgling doesn’t react even when the cigarette smoke practically engulfs them.
Interesting.
“And what, I’m just supposed to feed you, Fledgling?” Seongje asked, his voice carrying an edge of jagged mockery, pointed insult. He doesn’t forget who he is and what favor he is supposed to grant. “Spoil you with my blood and tie me to you for all eternity?”
For a Vampire Feeding is not just drawing blood. It creates a Blood Link, one that connects a vampire with its blood source until death, and Baekjin is a diabolical sonofabitch.
“It’s Juntae.”
Seongje blinks at the firmness with which the Fledgling says the name.
“Please call me by name, Alpha.”
Seongje stares at this brave, bold, tender Fledgling he could most definitely tear apart with claws and fangs if he cared to, and he grins sharply.
“You,” he starts, fingers holding the cigarette gesturing at the Fledgling and watching with delight when those eyes continue to stare at him with such solid certainty. Interestingly, he doesn’t feel the itch to gouge them out for staring at him too long. In fact, he may like their weight on him for a while more. “You’re something else. Did Baekjin breed you on guts and daring? What is in his blood?”
That makes the Fledgling, Juntae, actually smile for the first time. It’s a small, quiet thing, and something in Seongje’s chest shifts at the sight of it.
“Master Baekjin says it’s all just me.”
Seongje can honestly believe that. He doesn’t think Baekjin can make a fledgling of this caliber all by his lonesome. Honestly, Baekjin is kind of boring beyond being what he is: a cold, merciless killer and a dogged, master strategist.
Another chuckle and Seongje brings his cigarette back into his mouth, his gaze on this fledgling more interested than when he came into the room. His eyes narrow as he regards Juntae surveyingly.
“Now this feels weird.”
Juntae tilts his head at him. “Why?”
Seongje smirks, finding more and more to like about what’s being offered to him and not hating that. “Coz I know I’m being played, but I actually feel like playing.”
Juntae inclines his head politely at that, though having known him for a few precious minutes, Seongje can pick out the slight taunting from the miniscule gesture. It’s almost infuriatingly addictive. “Thank you for considering Master Baekjin’s proposal.”
Seongje laughs again, not at all displeased by the Fledgling’s cheek. “‘Considering’. Like I’m not here about to hold you over my lap and have you get at my throat, hm?”
That seems to make the Fledgling pause as he just stares at him again and the words sink in.
“Y-your lap?”
Seongje’s eyebrow quirks at the slight stutter. “Yeah. You think I’m just gonna give you a wrist like some maiden with the vapors?”
The Fledgling finally blinks. “Well--”
“Hell no,” Seongje declares with an idle flick of his wrist and fingers, the half-finished cigarette getting tossed off out a window. “That’s not what we’re doing, Juntae .”
And finally, finally, the Fledgling looks flustered, those wide eyes looking at him with more than just steady, if teasing, deference.
“Alpha--”
“Yes, little lamb?” Seongje asks, leaning closer to him, watching those fair cheeks grow high with color suddenly as they look at him like they have just realized what they’re up against. “You were saying?”
This close, Seongje can pick out Juntae’s scent. The thing is,vampires don’t really smell that good to werewolves. They can mask their odor with perfume and musk but they will always smell tellingly of graveyard dirt and dry flowers.
It’s curious how Juntae smells more like flowers than anything. It’s sweet and gentle, calming and discrete. It makes Seongje want to lean in closer, take a deep lungful of his scent until he makes better sense of it. Imprint it into memory.
The Fledgling looks nervous now, eyes wide, swallowing deeply.
Seongje tracks the bob of his throat with an all-too-focused stare.
Juntae has such a pretty throat.
“I…I don’t need to be fed that way, Alpha.” Juntae finally manages to get out eventually, awkwardly.
Seongje hums distractedly, keeping his eyes on his too expressive face. “I’m sure, but wouldn’t it be more comfortable if we sat down and you drink from my throat, little one?”
Juntae is still looking at him like he’s afraid he’ll get stolen away, eyes so wide and panicked,the blush on his cheeks so intense they reach to the tips of his little, bitable ears.
Seongje can just eat him up.
Instead, he reaches, takes him by the wrist, and pulls him closer.
The tiny little gasp Juntae lets out when he’s up against his chest is adorable. Seongje doesn’t waste time and wraps his arms around him. They’re so close and Seongje has an unobstructed view of the changes in Juntae’s expression.
He leans to peer closely at him, as if he needs to see even clearer. “You being that red shouldn’t be good for you, yeah?”
Juntae looks like he’ll expire where he stands. “No, I’m… Feeling a little faint…”
Seongje practically coos. “Oh, my poor baby. You shouldn’t be on your feet, then.”
Werewolves are strong, moreso an Alpha. Juntae feels light and fragile against him, too surprised and disoriented at suddenly having Seongje pick him up effortlessly and carry him off the short distance to another high-backed chair.
Seongje looks at the Fledgling now seated primly over his lap. Juntae still seems shocked at what is happening. The Alpha almost laughs at the thought that the Fledgling likely thought it was going to be all well-mannered and reserved: Seongje being a gentleman and giving him his wrist, politely offering his blood like he’s just handing over a fallen glove.
Seongje doesn’t know what Baekjin has told his gently biddable Fledgling but it’s not enough. Or maybe Baekjin has left his little lamb soft and tender to sweeten him.
It’s obviously working.
“Don’t be nervous,” the Alpha finds himself telling the Fledgling who has yet to look back at him. Seongje kind of misses it. “Don’t tell me I’m the first one you’re feeding from aside from Baekjin.”
The little shy but miffed look he gets after a moment makes Seongje pause to only then have a little thrill play along his chest. It’s an unadulterated delight and Seongje revels in it.
“No…” Seongje begins, fighting a little deranged grin.
The Fledgling only keeps on looking at him like that and Seongje can’t help but laugh.
“You’re a lap virgin.”
The annoyance builds in the Fledgling’s expression and Seongje can’t help but pinch a little reddened cheek when he would rather really bite it.
“So adorable~”
“Master Baekjin holds me over his lap, too!”
Seongje practically cackles at the innocent outburst, taking in the outraged little expression on Juntae’s face and feels so soft suddenly it’s actually quite breathtaking. How long has it been since he’s felt this amused and fond? Over a confounding little fledgling who will bind him to him for all eternity. And he will let him.
He’s definitely getting the short end of the stick here, but Alpha Geum Seongje has always been a smitten romantic in the most inconvenient and strangest times.
“Well, Baekjin is your Sire,” Seongje finally manages to say between chuckles, the smile on his face wry. “He should be holding his fledgling on his lap. It’s just what he has to do.”
He touches the Fledgling’s cheek gently with the backs of his fingers, doing it with a care that is rare for him but just oh so appropriate at the moment. Juntae the Fledgling just screams to be handled with delicacy.
“Give you all the love and care that you need while you’re newborn and vulnerable.”
Those eyes look at him so piercingly even as he touches with such easy and unearned familiarity. Juntae doesn’t move away though doesn’t exactly let him do it without judging him a little for it.
Seongje’s smile grows, careful rough fingers warm against a blood-blushed cheek and baby soft skin. “As he seems to want you to grow strong with my blood helping you along.”
“It’s for a pact,” Juntae says quietly, his body seeming unable to stay unmoved by a tender touch for long and he leans into the contact a little. “I have no illusions of what I am being used for, Alpha.”
Juntae is tiny and pliant on his lap, truly a sacrificial lamb to a wicked, unrepentant wolf, but that is not all that Seongje sees.
“Then become strong, Fledgling,” Seongje tells him, even as he starts to loosen the buttons of his shirt. “Take the blood that I will give you and become more than the tool Baekjin means to use.”
Juntae seems to be absorbing his words, turning them over and over in his head, before he gets distracted by the movement of his fingers. He pauses, eyes caught by the reveal of golden skin and toned muscle, before again, the blush blooms on his fair skin.
“A-Alpha--”
“Come on, Fledgling,” Seongje coaxes once he’s unbuttoned his shirt all the way and pulled Juntae closer, a hand holding securely by the small of his back. “You’re blushing again. You’re wasting time and blood, sweetheart.”
Juntae makes another soft, startled noise when he’s finally pressed against Seongje’s chest. He ends up with his head resting by the Alpha’s shoulder, so close to his bare throat, the rest of him brought in tight. Werewolves run hot, warmer than humans and practically a living furnace to frigid, hungry vampires. Moreso fledglings who feel the cold more acutely. Seongje chuckles softly at the Fledgling’s attempt at modesty by keeping his hands to himself. Maybe it’s also a protective gesture.
“Juntae.”
Wide eyes turn up to him in embarrassment and incredulity. “Do you have to open your shirt, Alpha??”
Seongje keeps a straight face as he replies to the question. “You’re cold and skin-to-skin contact will warm you up fast. Take my generosity, Fledgling. I do not give it lightly.”
The Fledgling actually whines when he lowers his head to reluctantly begin his task and Seongje is able to hide the satisfied smile that blooms on his face.
“Enough delay. Take a bite now,” Seongje says, directing Juntae to his throat with a firm but gentle hand to the back of his head.
The air seems to fall still and Seongje thinks he will need to do more coaxing when he feels the pinprick of sharp, little teeth against his skin, the Wolf in him stirring and fighting to claw out at the sudden invasion of its host. Then they sink and Seongje feels the first pull of his blood.
His eyes close as he feels a slow, lulling sensation fall over him, vampire venom seeping into his very veins and settling him into a state of calm, making the Wolf freeze then slowly, slowly unravel.
Seongje of course has never let a vampire drink from him before, but he’s not innocent of what it’s like.
Vampires can be unsurprisingly bloodthirsty about how they feed. It can be fast and violent, draining a victim to the point of death and even spilling most of what they could have consumed. A hungry, starved vampire is no better than a mindless animal about its feeding.
These pure, aristocratic vampires, though. They have manners, class, a certain finesse about how they take their nourishment. So they take their time, handling their source with care, even bothering with making it pleasurable by the application of the venom they do have and can use.
And they don’t overindulge, practicing the art of “the little drink”, and you have to give them due credit for having such controlled and civilized life (undead) choices.
So when Seongje feels and hears the Fledgling, Juntae, hum and purr contentedly against his throat after some time, he responds with a little pleased rumble.
“Enough, baby,” he murmurs softly, caressing careful fingertips along the tender throat he holds. “You’ve taken enough.”
Seongje almost chuckles, feeling a bit dazed, at the puppyish grumble he gets in reply. It takes a bit of time, some more patient coaxing and playful praise, before the Fledgling draws his little baby fangs back. The Alpha hums softly at the soothing feel of a tongue laving over the spot where he’s been bit.
Such indulgence. His little lamb even politely closes up his bites.
Seongje opens his eyes when he feels Juntae lean back though he doesn't let him go far. He still has a hand on the Fledgling’s back to anchor and support him though his other hand has fallen away from his neck.
Juntae’s eyes are half-open and hazy, lips parted in a dazed, unguarded expression of satiation.
Seongje tracks it closely when a little slip of a tongue licks over wet, red lips.
“...Thank you, Alpha,” Juntae whispers after a moment, swallowing absently after like he’s still a bit thirsty.
Seongje leans back against the chair he’s sitting on, watching the Fledgling try and recover his bearings.
“So polite,” he comments with a satisfied little rumble, feeling warm and lazy. “Was that good, angel?”
Juntae nods with a little quiet hum, eyes still unfocused but trying to look at him as steadily as before. “Yes. It was good…”
Satisfied and pleased, Seongje carefully reaches and takes one of Juntae’s little hands that have fallen over his naked chest. He squeezes and massages gently, eyes still on the quiet Fledgling sitting on his lap like he belongs there. Tiny fingers hold carefully around two of his own in a gentle lock. The Alpha’s voice comes low and quiet. “All warm now…”
Another soft hum and Juntae watches quietly as the Alpha draws his hand to his lips and brushes a gentle almost reverent kiss over his fingers.
And then seems to snap out of his blood-drunk trance.
Seongje mourns when those little hands pull back from his skin, watching self-consciousness and reserve come over Juntae like a protective blanket.
He’s even turned his eyes away from him.
His Wolf rumbles in dissatisfaction at the sight.
Juntae starts to speak and Seongje pays attention. “I am honored that you have granted me the favor of your time, attention, and--”
“Taking a drink from my throat and securing a Blood Link,” Seongje puts in smoothly between the Fledgling’s very formal thanks. He watches calmly as that seems to make the Fledgling still and fight the impulse to curl into himself.
Seongje still feels the lingering effects of the venom, that lulling sense of calm, and he feels like he can sleep for a while, but his mind is clear if a little distracted. He wants those warmed little hands back on him. Having the Fledgling close seems like it’s going to be a bit of a challenge. The Alpha picks that knowledge up with consideration and files it for something to examine more closely later.
“Yes,” Juntae manages to reply without a stutter though Seongje feels he is still shaken by what has happened. “I am honored, Alpha.”
“So,” Seongje starts while straightening then leaning closer again, unmindful of his still open shirt and how he breaches the Fledgling’s personal space. The feelings of heat and surprise that don't come from him touches him and Seongje fights off a smug little smile. “When can I see you again?”
The Fledgling looks bewildered at his question. “Again?”
Seongje tilts his head at the question. “What? Did you think this is where it ends?”
Dark eyes widen at the returned question and Seongje is pretty sure the Fledgling will have a pretty amusing answer to that but then the door opens.
Seongje doesn’t need to look to know that it’s Baekjin.
“Has it been done?” the Master Vampire asks as he glides into the room like Juntae has just been tasked to clean it.
Seongje doesn’t take his eyes away from the Fledgling when he replies, “He’s still untouched and innocent, if you must know.”
The sudden severe stare Juntae gives him looks like he wants Seongje’s head to explode. Baekjin’s grim look in reply to Seongje’s crass words can confirm that he can make it happen.
Seongje grins unrepentantly but then looks betrayed when the Fledgling starts moving off his lap. He barely stops himself from pulling him back.
“Master Baekjin,” Juntae addresses his Sire and stands to face him properly, though he keeps his gaze down. “I have done as commanded.”
Baekjin grants him a little nod. “You have done well, Juntae.”
Seongje can’t see Juntae’s face, but he can tell that the Fledgling seems pleased at the praise. Already, he can feel the Blood Link holding fast, growing strong. He idly considers how he can use it for his own purposes.
“You may go.”
Seongje still hasn’t righted himself on the chair he has taken. He sits back indolently when Juntae finally turns back to him.
Wide eyes and pretty, elfin face. Little hands holding properly before him, a courteous little bow.
Adorable features and gentle manners. Flashes of a spitfire with a devastating effect.
The chance to unravel the layers of this bewitching, beguiling fledgling.
“Thank you, Alpha.”
Seongje has no choice but to incline his head in quiet dismissal, though he has little control of how he watches him go and leave him.
He misses him already.
“I expect no less than a proper courting. Let me remind you of this, Alpha Geum Seongje.”
Baekjin’s cold, insufferable voice comes from behind him and Seongje almost rolls his eyes in annoyance.
When he turns, he finds Baekjin just as he has been: standing tall and stately and maybe looking a little smug.
Seongje eyes him with lazy contempt. “You and your scheming. Happy you got what you wanted?”
Baekjin is unmoved by his rebuke. “Don’t pretend I haven’t handed you a gift.”
“An expensive, precious gift,” Seongje returns, still not bothering to right himself or make himself decent. “My Council will have my head for this.”
Baekjin doesn’t even blink. “And you will be a match for them, I am sure.”
Seongje meets that unyielding stare with one of his own.
“You’re a fucking menace. I should raze this castle to the ground and take away the Fledgling you have oh so generously bonded me with.”
Baekjin ignores the vitriol from the Werewolf Alpha’s foul mouth, as always, unimpressed.
The Werewolf Alpha’s threats are all bark and very little teeth on most days where Baekjin is concerned.
“We’ve prepared you dinner.” So little compensation for the trouble the Vampire Master has brought to his door.
But Seongje lets himself roll with it as always, standing with a sigh and finally working to button up his shirt, absently checking for blood but finding not a single drop.
“‘Better be medium rare. Do you blood-drinkers even make actual food?”
“Our familiars are most dependable,” Baekjin answers as he leads the grumpy and hungry Werewolf Alpha away. “They should have something you like.”
“They better…” Seongje allows as he follows Baekjin out of the room, craving for a cigarette and a certain Fledgling’s weight and scent against him.