Dropping to his knees and screaming in complete anguish, Xue Yang hauled along the strands of his hair until he could feel the root from his scalp pierced with blood. He felt numb, hallowed, and suddenly, the forest and everything else in Xue Yang's world had gotten devoid of its colors.

As tears spilled out of his eyes like a never-ending cascade. With trembling fingers, Xue Yang grasped the pale, lifeless body of Xiao Xingchen off the mud-curdled ground and into his arms. And as he continued to weep ugly tears, his hold became tighter, not wanting to let go - never wanting to let go.

Tears were often a stranger to Xue Yang, but the thought of no longer hearing Xiao Xingchen's laugher - a laugh that brought a little light to his darkened world, made him boiled from within, creating a raging flare that sought only revenge.

The madness overtook him, and soon his screams of anguish ended in bitter laughter, much like a maniac. Xue Yang blamed himself. Xiao Xingchen's stale blood upon his hands was his own doing, his fault, his responsibility.

Earlier, Xiao Xingchen advised him not to meddle in affairs that do not involve him. Lan Zhan and Wei Ying shouldn't have concerned him, but his greed for power melted the bit of sanity he had left.

In the beginning, when he found out about the two werewolves being soulmates, Xue Yang thought little of it, for his mind had focused mainly upon killing off Xichen and that worthless Mingjue. But as the days progressed - in his own twisted mind, Xue Yang believed that there could be a possibility of gaining Lan Zhan's and that imbecile Wei Ying's strengths, that is, if they merged as one.

It could easily be done when killing an alpha, so why not a pair of soulmates? Xue Yang's only problem was, Wei Ying hadn't bitten Lan Zhan as yet. A tragic part on Xue Yang really, but a part that could be fixed nonetheless.

Xiao Xingchen didn't like his idea when Xue Yang urged him to attack the two werewolves and let it slip that they were well aware of the two being soulmates, then again, in the past, Xiao Xingchen liked none of his so-called genius ideas.

"Make it slide like an accident," Xue Yang said. "They would never guess what we have in store for them after they mark each other." And when Xiao Xingchen begged him to lie low until they knew enough about Lan Zhan and Wei Ying, "We could take them, we always did," Xue Yang beckoned. Oh, how he regretted those words.

Soon, the night skies opened, revealing an orange glow, and the birds sang, awakening the forest, casting a dull shadow upon Xue Yang's swollen face from where he'd knelt throughout the night. The phone inside his pocket had been vibrating all night, though he didn't bother answering. He knew it had to be a worried Song Lan.

Song Lan would find him, no matter where he may be. He always does. So Xue Yang waited, and he waited until a gust of breeze drifted by. Xue Yang calmed himself down from feeling that oh-so-familiar touch of Song Lan's chilly fingers caressing against his shoulder from behind. "He's gone," Song Lan said. And despite his face shedding no sort of emotion, he sounded rather sour while staring down at the bloodied corpse of his once dearest friend.

It surprised Xue Yang how calmly Song Lan kept his composure when seeing Xiao Xingchen in such a miserable state. Except for a few drops of aching tears, Song Lan didn't scream, or withered away like a dying rose. He didn't reduce himself to a mess that Xue Yang found himself in. Nor did he blame Xue Yang for Xiao Xingchen's untimely demise, despite it being Xue Yang's fault. Instead, he just, stood there.

Face pale, "And it's all my fault," Came Xue Yang's empty reply as he unwrapped his arms from Xiao Xingchen and stood up. "I shouldn't have sent him to get slaughtered like some wild animal. Why aren't you blaming me? You always do whenever something goes wrong." Pointing at the dead body, "This tops the cake," He said, unable to resist a small chuckle from slipping past his quaking lips.

As Xue Yang finally turned to face Song Lan, only then did he see a rage like blood coating Song Lan's eyes. "Do not blame yourself," Song Lan replied. "If Xingchen didn't want to, he wouldn't have done what you asked. A'Yang, he wouldn't want you to blame yourself. You didn't know. None of us did. We underestimate their strengths, and it won't happen again."

Song Lan's right. There's one thing Xue Yang learned from their years of spending together; Xiao Xingchen never did something he didn't feel right doing, and Xiao Xingchen would never blame him, no matter how at fault he may be.

Shedding the last bit of guilt he harnessed for Xiao Xingchen's death, Xue Yang sighed. He knew what he had to do now.

Taking a glance at the soulless corpse on the ground, he nodded. Xiao Xingchen's death would not go in vain. Xue Yang never realized it before, but no amount of power was worth losing someone he cared for. Lan Zhan would be dead before the sun rises tomorrow.

"Tonight," Xue Yang said, wiping away the trails of tears stuck against his cheeks. "I want Lan Zhan's heart in my hand, so I can eat it in front of his lover and his brother."

Song Lan, "You shall have it."

Xue Yang smirked.

----------

Back at Lan Zhan's home, things weren't going exactly as planned.

This morning, they left the hospital before the sun cracked open. It wasn't intentional, but getting back home and sorting out their next move before Xue Yang and Song Lan strike was their top priority. And the idea of leaving Jiang Cheng alone in the hospital where Xue Yang could pop up anytime seemed rather absurd. So Wei Ying decided his little brother would stay at Huaisang's house. Wei Ying knew that their failing classmate wouldn't mind skipping classes for a day to keep Jiang Cheng company. In fact, if Huaisang had his way, he'd probably skip classes forever.

However, throughout their ride to Huaisang's house, sandwiched between Xichen and Mingue in the backseat, Jiang Cheng argued he could be of some help - considering Wei Ying and his fleabag friends had pea-sized brains when planning is concerned. And when Wei Ying ignored Jiang Cheng with fake yawns and exaggerated arm stretches, Jiang Cheng chose the uncanny timing for blaming Lan Zhan for all the recent downfalls they've encountered.

Wei Ying knew Jiang Cheng meant well. But he believed it would be for the best if his human brother wasn't involved. Jiang Cheng might be one of the bravest and fearless and strongest people in Wei Ying's eyes, but his current condition might end up becoming a disadvantage. That, and Wei Ying wasn't putting his brother in harm's way even if Jiang Cheng never forgave him.

Unfortunately, Jiang Cheng continued his rowdy protest until they arrived at Huaisang's house safe and sound, except for Xichen's rising headache, thanks to Jiang Cheng's non-stop bickering.

Ever since they'd arrived back home three hours later, Wei Ying had been lounging on the couch, sharing sheepish cuddles and steamy kisses with Lan Zhan until he drifted in and out of sleep. Even when Lan Zhan shifted off the couch and took quiet steps toward his office doors where Xichen and Mingjue awaited him, Wei Ying didn't bother opening his eyes, his dreams of Lan Zhan's sinful lips upon his naked body were much too entertaining to wake up from.

His slumber ended when Lan Zhan nudged him awake. Despite his constant grumbling, Wei Ying hummed in satisfaction when Lan Zhan pecked light kisses against his forehead and nose. "Wei Ying, wake up. There's something I need to talk to you about," Lan Zhan said. "Wei Ying?"

"Lan Er Gege, more kissie please," Wei Ying pouted with closed eyes. Lan Zhan obeyed, showering Wei Ying with kisses about his face until the younger man started giggling from the sudden ticklish sensation.

"Alright alright, I'm up," Wei Ying laughed, pushing himself off the couch. He stood up, stretching his arms out as Lan Zhan watched him, an unreadable expression plastered his face. As Wei Ying cracked at his knuckles, he couldn't help but stare back at Lan Zhan with questionable eyes. Lan Zhan's sudden stiffness and bobbed throat seemed off. "So, did you already hitch up your big plan?" He asked, gaining a slow nod from Lan Zhan. "Great! Am I going to be the bait?"

Lan Zhan arched an eyebrow. "What makes you think you'll be the bait?"

"Huh." Wei Ying twisted from side to side until he felt completely stretched out. "Seems logical. Don't you think I'll make an attractive bait, Lan Zhan?" Lan Zhan could only blush bright red as Wei Ying flirtatiously batted his eyelashes. So shameless.

Wei Ying laughed, he'd done teasing. "Fine-fine," He said, nudging a fist bump against Lan Zhan's shoulder. "I'm being serious. What's the plan?"

"There's no plan," Lan Zhan stood up. And then there stood an aching silence.

"We're going to fight it out the old fashion way.," Lan Zhan went on to say. "We don't have enough time to search for wolfsbane. It's a drug that could weaken werewolves. Brother had been searching for it since he'd been here, it's difficult to find in the modern-day."

"I know what wolfsbane is, I've read about it in my grimoire," Wei Ying shrugged, recalling the time he broke into Lan Zhan's home with his bag of silver coins. Now, thinking back at it, it was rather foolish. Then again, he was known for doing foolish things. Whatever.

"Wei Ying, we made a decision, and it doesn't involve you," Lan Zhan said, deliberately avoiding meeting Wei Ying's eyes.

"Without me?" Wei Ying questioned, offended by Lan Zhan's chosen words. "Wait, is that what the three of you have been doing all this time locked up inside there? Excluding me?"

Lan Zhan sighed. "Brother and I have decided it would be for the best if you don't fight at all. It could end up dangerous."

Although Wei Ying would rather be a lover than a fighter, he didn't mind fighting for the ones he loved the dearest, and Lan Zhan meant the world to him. What happened to them being Yin and Yang, Wei Ying wondered.

Wei Ying, "You can't be serious? You're delusional if you think I'm standing aside and watch you get eaten alive. Lan Zhan, what happened to us being partners? Only last night you said I was the strongest turned werewolf. What happened now? Are your words now meaningless?"

"Xue Yang's unpredictable," Lan Zhan tried reasoning, despite knowing his words would fall on deaf ears. "Once he finds Xiao Xingchen's body, we don't know what he'll do. It's safer this way. You understand, don't you?"

Wei Ying, "No, I don't! Why won't you let me help Lan Zhan?"

"Wei Ying, this isn't a game. You could get hurt or killed, even. Brother and Mingjue would be there." Lan Zhan paused. The next time he spoke, his words were almost silent. If Wei Ying wasn't a werewolf, he might've not heard. "Maybe I was wrong. Maybe you aren't strong enough. Maybe -"

"Stop underestimating me, Goddammit!" Wei Ying lashed out, overwhelmed by frustration. "And what about you? What do you think would happen to me? Lan Zhan, I'm fighting alongside you, and don't you dare try to stop me. Both you and Xichen-Ge can shove your decision up your -"

"Wei Ying," Lan Zhan deadpanned. "This isn't your battle. I can't afford to lose you. You're still young. I've been around long enough. I've been in a situation like this before, I can handle myself -"

Wei Ying, "And you think I can't?"

Lan Zhan, "That's not what I'm saying -"

Wei Ying, "Then what are you saying?"

"I love you," Lan Zhan resorted, sounding so fragile, so hopeless, opposite from his usual stiff demeanor.

As Wei Ying gazed past those golden eyes that sometimes glow scarlet, he knew Lan Zhan meant well, and it made Wei Ying's heart crack a little from raising his voice. Perhaps Lan Zhan loved him a bit too dearly, that he wouldn't think twice at putting his life on the line if it meant protecting Wei Ying. Wei Ying sighed. Little do Lan Zhan knew, he would do the same.

Wei Ying, "Then allow me to fight alongside you."

Lan Zhan stood, deep in thought. And when a minute shifted to two, Wei Ying tapped his heels against the hardboard floor from impatience. Regardless of what Lan Zhan has to say, Wei Ying knew he would still have his way.

"Fine, I'll tell brother," Lan Zhan finally said, unable to resist Wei Ying's tempting doe eyes and sinister knitted brows. "Just promise me you won't put yourself in harm's way."

Silence. Wei Ying could not - would not promise. "Wei Ying!" Lan Zhan's voice grew, desperately seeking reassurance. "Wei Ying, you have to understand that I don't want you to become a killer, not like me. It's too much of a burden to bear."

It’s true Lan Zhan had done his fair share of killing in the past. At the ripe age of eighteen - the same year his wolf peaked, Lan Zhan had made his first kill. A nameless alpha whose face he once told Wei Ying he shall never forget. 

It had always been a game of superiority in the supernatural world, and whether right or wrong, killing demonstrated dominance, and dominant Lan Zhan proved to be. But the bloodshed did come at a price of overshadowing guilt. A pang of guilt so deep, he’d have to bear with it until his dying day. And a guilt Wei Ying - a soul pure like the earth’s minerals itself, should not be burdened with.

"Lan Zhan," Wei Ying said, placing a hand on Lan Zhan's shoulder, "I don't mind killing if it means protecting you."

"It's my duty to protect you," Lan Zhan bit back.

Wei Ying smiled. "It's our duty to protect each other."

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