eighteen;

       Hongjoong stepped onto the property of Jung Eunseo—the woman they met months ago when they were worried for Eunha's condition. He wasn't hoping on her knowing the answers he needed, but she knew Namjoon. She might know someone else he could contact. He pushed his anxiety to the side and knocked on her door, eventually it opened to reveal that same woman. "Ah. It's you." She grunted and swung it open before walking away. He stared at her confusing action, which made her turn to face him. "Well? What are you waiting for? I've invited you in once already, you shouldn't need it again." The hybrid stepped through the threshold and closed the door behind him, seating himself on her sofa as she urged him to. "That's a common misconception. Vampires don't need to be invited in, we always have access." Eunseo hummed in response and seated herself in front of him. "How is she?" "She's fine. Thriving even. Namjoon told us she would be okay. But that's not what I'm here for." "Well, I'm not much help unless it involves pregnancy and labor." "I know, but you knew of Namjoon, maybe you know someone else." Eunha's heart dropped in her stomach at the sight of Soojin. He was still gripping her wrist—which she tried yanking away from him. "You're swelling up quite nicely. You're... what? Almost twenty weeks? So you're halfway there already." His hand reached for her stomach, making her flinch away and free herself from his grasp. But Soojin wasn't having it, latching onto her shoulder and pushing her up against the wall. "You aren't getting my child. I'll die before that happens." "Unfortunately for you, that's exactly what's going to happen." Eunha felt the anger singe into her veins, throwing an arm up to hit him. He caught it immediately. "He's not even going to be a hybrid! He only carries the wolf gene." Soojin chuckled at her. "You don't know that for sure. Hybrids don't just breed with humans all the time. You really think it's going to come out just a wolf? You're delusional." Eunha laughed in his face, trying to hide the hurt from his words. "And you're stupid." The vampire slammed a hand into the wall beside her head. "You should have let them go. Now you've added eight gravestones next to yours. How does that make you feel? They're going to die because of you." This brought tears to her eyes as she began to slam her fists into his chest. "You aren't going to touch them! None of them! I'll kill you myself!" "What about Zero? You don't seem too worried that I have him with me." Her gaze went from hatred to worry. "What have you done to him?! Why do you even want him?! What does compelling him do for you?! You're so lonely you need a pet to do your bidding?!" Soojin chuckled at her outburst, stepping forward and leaning down to whisper in her ear.        "I'll let you in on a little secret," His close proximity forced her closer to the wall, trying to get away from him. "He came willing. Which was a relief, since I can't compel neither him nor Hongjoong."       This peeked her interest but also filled her stomach with dread. Hongjoong was right, Zero did leave on his own regards. But why, she didn't know. "Well, it was nice seeing how you're coming along. I better get going, wouldn't want to stir up trouble here, would we? It's a nice little village. It reminds me of a time I greatly treasure."        Eunha knew what he was talking about, more tears threading to spill. "Don't you dare. You leave these people alone."        Soojin stepped back, finally giving her the space she sought. "Oh, no. I wouldn't dream of it. I was more-so referencing that night we spent together in your barn. It's almost been a year." Her jaw clenched the same time her stomach churned in disgust. "One of the better fucks I've had, if I must say."        "I hate you. I hate you with a burning passion. One that I hope sends you to eternity to burn 'til the end of time."        "I see you're becoming emotional, you're letting your hormones do the talking. So, I'll leave you be for now." Soojin began to walk away but he stopped and turned to face her once again, watching her tremble in anger and fear. "But I'll see you in a few months, you can count on that little one."        He was gone a second later, relief and stress washing over her until they crashed together, buckling her knees. She slid down the wall until her bum hit the ground, arms wrapping over her bump in a protective stance.        Wooyoung pushed through the crowd, finding her sitting in an alley alone, holding her stomach. He immediately rushed to her side, which startled her. "Princess, what's wrong? Are you okay? Are you hurt? Is it the baby?" In the presence of someone she loved, she finally let the emotions flood out of her. She pulled him into a hug and cried against his shoulder, letting the sobs roll free. This worried the vampire even more but he pulled her as close as he could, rubbing her back in a comforting matter. "It's okay, princess. I'm here. I'm here." "He-He... he was here. He was-He was here..." She tried to talk but it came out jumbled with her cries, clutching onto him tighter. "He's going to... take my baby." Wooyoung pulled her from his embrace and cupped her cheeks, bringing gaze together. "Soojin? Soojin was here?" She responded with a slight nod. "Eunha, he's not going to take your baby. We aren't going to let him. I'm not going to let him." "Woo.. I'm so scared." His heart broke from her words and caressed her chapped face. "It's okay, Eunha. It's okay. Come on, let's go find Hongjoong and go home." She gave him another nod and sniffled, wiping her tears with the sleeves of her mother's cloak. He helped her stand up and calm down, locking their hands together before leading her back into the crowd. There wasn't as many people this time, most having left or gone home. Wooyoung was able to spot Hongjoong, as did the hybrid with him. He noticed the distress rolling off his mate, immediately rushing to their side. "What happened?" "Soojin was here. He was here Hongjoong." As those words left Wooyoung's mouth, the hybrid's eyes locked on the sea of people around them. He was searching for the person threatening his mate. No one was paying attention to them, except one tall person unmoving in the crowd. Hongjoong and Soojin locked eyes, and Hongjoong was thrown back to the night it happened. The night his family was killed. The night he was turned. Because staring back at him, was his creator. Soojin was the vampire that destroyed his life.