When they arrived back at Lan Zhan's home, Lan Xichen was nowhere to be seen or heard. Lan Zhan paid his brother's untimely absence no mind as he huddled Wei Ying to lay on the far edge of his living room sofa and went in search of human medicine Lan Zhan was sure won't be of any use.

----------

Checking Wei Ying's temperature, Lan Zhan sighed. Just as he'd suspected, Wei Ying was beginning to have a fever. 

It's the first step in determining whether Wei Ying would live or die. Lan Zhan couldn't help the feeling of uneasiness, Lan Xichen had assured Lan Zhan the night before that Wei Ying would survive. Still, that piece of information didn't help in calming Lan Zhan's turmoil. Lan Zhan only prayed Wei Ying would overcome the flu-like illness so the transformation could take its place.

"Wei Ying," Lan Zhan draped a damp cloth against Wei Ying's heated forehead, "how are you feeling? Has the pain gotten worse? Wei Ying, you're staying by me for the night." 

There was no room for an argument. Lan Zhan made his point, and Wei Ying must listen - Lan Zhan hoped Wei Ying would listen, for he doesn't want them to have a disagreement that could lead to them fighting. 

Wei Ying slapped the cloth away when it touched his lips. "Why am I burning up?" Wei Ying rasped out, pushing the cloth further away when Lan Zhan attempted to wipe at Wei Ying's temples. "Lan Zhan, everything hurts. I wasn't like this, this morning. Am I dying? Is that what's happening?"

"I don't think so," Lan Zhan took a seat beside Wei Ying on the sofa. 

"What do you mean?" Wei Ying began panicking, and then a hiss fell from his lips. "Wen Chao," Wei Ying groaned, remembering what he'd done earlier. Wei Ying was sure he would be getting a call from the school later. Or worse, a visit from the police. "Shit, I didn't think things through. Did you tell Jiang Cheng you brought me here?"

Lan Zhan nodded a no. Lan Zhan heard Wei Ying's racing heart. Lan Zhan didn't know what to do. He - an alpha, had reduced himself into a panicking little boy all because he couldn't control his urges to claim what he thought at the moment was rightfully his. Wei Ying didn't belong to him. Once again, Lan Zhan cursed himself for what he'd done.

"I forgot," Lan Zhan whispered out, "I only thought of you. You told me to take you home, that's what I did. Jiang Cheng," Lan Zhan snarled at Wei Ying's brother's name, "isn't important."

Wei Ying hissed as if stung by Lan Zhan's comment. Wei Ying knew the two didn't like each other, but that doesn't mean they should remain that way forever. "He's my brother, it's important that he knows."

Lan Zhan lowered his head in shame, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean -"

"You've been watching me all day, haven't you?" Wei Ying asked, changing the subject and eyeing Lan Zhan suspiciously. 

Lan Zhan was taken back. He wanted to lie, make up an excuse. Perhaps change the topic. Yet he found himself nodding a yes like a guilty puppy having been caught in the act of misbehaving. 

"Why?" Wei Ying questioned, a growing rage slowly building up in his voice.

Head cast downward, "I wanted to protect you if anything were to happen," Lan Zhan said with a pout. Then, as if his hand had a mind of its own, Lan Zhan rested his palm on top of Wei Ying's own. "I hurt you, and I'm trying to make up for it."

"You did this to me," Wei Ying snapped, slapping Lan Zhan's hand away and bolting up from the sofa. "This is all your fault."

"I know," Lan Zhan replied.

"Did you mean to do it? You know what. Forget it, I don't want to know, letting you bring me here was a mistake." Wei Ying ruffled the nest on top of his head, "I'm leaving."

Those statements sting much more than they should. They burned, left an imprint, and buried themselves deep within Lan Zhan's heart. He wanted to believe Wei Ying's hurtful words inflicted pain merely because of the bond they now share, but Lan Zhan knew he should stop lying to himself and accept the fact that he might actually harness some feelings for the younger man. 

Lan Zhan liked Wei Ying. He wanted to love Wei Ying. Make a home with Wei Ying, cherish Wei Ying. But Lan Zhan knew small steps were necessary. So that is what he would take; small steps. 

"Wei Ying, no," Lan Zhan pleaded desperately.

Wei Ying was too riled up. He didn't mean to lash out. Only an hour ago he'd been crying his eyes out while seeking comfort within Lan Zhan's embrace in the school gym. 

Lan Zhan should understand. Wei Ying's sick. He's confused. Furthermore, Wei Ying just wanted a hug. Ready to dash for the front door, Wei Ying froze in place when Lan Zhan spoke again.

"No."

That voice. 

That commanding call held power, control, and it came from Lan Zhan's mouth, but it sounded like a demon. A beast. A monster. A creature who rips humans apart. A painful reminder to Wei Ying of what was to come. 

One little word spilled from those beautiful cherry lips, carrying an impact so strong, it rooted Wei Ying to the floor, rendering him unable to move. 

Heaving heavy breathing and trembling in fear, Wei Ying said, "Why can't I move?" His voice hardly above a whisper, but Lan Zhan heard.

Lan Zhan ignored the shakiness of Wei Ying’s voice and marched forward until he stood in front of Wei Ying. Lan Zhan sighed, rubbing at his temples. "Wei Ying, I'm sorry. I didn't want it to come down to this."

"What are you talking about?" Wei Ying snarled

"It's called an alpha's command, I didn't think it would actually work," Lan Zhan explained, "you need not worry. It only works when someone's recently bitten, that's what my brother told me. I'm sorry, I won't do it again. I wanted to try it. Sorry."

Wei Ying whined, stomping his feet against the copper floorboards. "Stop apologizing and fix it," Wei Ying rambled, on the verge of tearing up. 

That's it. 

Wei Ying won't deny it any longer. He hated Lan Zhan. He should have listened to Jiang Cheng to stay away. Lan Zhan's nothing but trouble. Wei Ying hated Lan Zhan's guts with every fiber of Wei Ying's being.

"Yes. Of course." Lan Zhan cleared his throat, gazing straight into Wei Ying's eyes.

Wei Ying watched on as Lan Zhan's golden orbs slowly transformed into a vibrant red. Almost hell-like. They were beautiful. Captivating. Enchanting. Hypnotizing. Wei Ying found himself starring, wanting so desperately to drown himself into those colors, maybe forever. And just like that, Wei Ying's hatred that he had a few seconds ago evaporated. 

Lan Zhan spoke again, "Wei Ying. Move."

Wei Ying gasp. He had failed to notice it before, but the alpha's voice that Lan Zhan used. Although pleasant and relaxing to his ears, did something - stirred something deep within Wei Ying, trapping him in the process. Wei Ying kept telling himself it's the bond alpha's and beta's shared. Lan Zhan had told him about it. Still, the feeling made his heart skip a beat. 

Wei Ying pushed back that strange feeling - hide it away, and walk forward. However, his clumsiness got the best of him, and he tripped in his first step. Luckily, like before in the garden, from a few days prior, silk hands captured him before he could hit the floors.

"Are you alright?" Lan Zhan questioned. The rough, hardened tone of his voice now replaced, leaving a trail of honey drops behind. 

Wei Ying unconsciously shivered, clearing his throat and chuckled awkwardly. "I'm fine, I'm fine," Wei Ying grumbled, "I'm going to call Jiang Cheng before he gets a panic attack."

"You're not leaving, are you?" Lan Zhan asked.

Wei Ying gulped. He hates to admit it - so he won't, but it appeared he no longer wanted to leave. He felt safe being in Lan Zhan's presence - protected. It's Lan Zhan's damn sexy wolf voice, Wei Ying kept telling himself. 

"Only if you won't do that controlling voice thing again," Wei Ying said, secretly wanting to hear it, though he would not admit it even for a million years. "If you promise, then I'll think about it."

Lan Zhan blushed, "I won't."

Wei Ying smiled. "Good."

----------

Meanwhile, when Jiang cheng came back from school in the afternoon, he was not too pleased with Wei Ying at what Wei Ying had done during lunch break. In fact, the entire school sided with Wen Chao, stating Wei Ying was in the wrong. With a scold on his face, Jiang Cheng informed Wei Ying he had been dropped from the school's play and suspended for an entire week.

Wei Ying was devastated at that news, but his devastation only made worse when the evening arrived. 

Wei Ying got more critical, and Lan Zhan got scared. Lan Zhan had taken Wei Ying to bed, drowning out Jiang Cheng's bitter words thrown at him. Lan Zhan took Wei Ying's pain away. But before he could console Wei Ying, Jiang cheng kicked Lan Zhan out of his own room where he housed Wei Ying for the night and bolted the door shut.

Lan Zhan could break it down if he wanted too - he wanted to. Instead, he went downstairs and called his brother. 

Lan Xichen had not returned, but he did answer when Lan Zhan called. Lan Xichen told Lan Zhan something came up, that he would return to help in the morning, possibly in the afternoon. Lan Xichen told Lan Zhan not to worry - it's nothing, a minor setback. Nothing to be of bother, Lan Xichen said. Lan Xichen lied. 

Lan Xichen sounded out of breath. Lan Zhan knew something was amiss, but his mind was elsewhere, so Lan Zhan nodded through the phone, hesitating before ending the call, telling himself his brother wouldn't lie. 

Everything's fine - everything's going to be just fine. Lan Zhan will wake up tomorrow, and all of his problems will magically disappear.

- If you've enjoyed this chapter, please don't forget to vote & comment.