CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO: "Crossing Boundaries"

•••

Seonghwa POV:

"Then do it." Hongjoong said firmly, his eyes staring directly into my own without any sense of fear.

My breath hitched, and despite my reservations, hearing him speak without any hesitation shook me in my core more than I thought possible. "Hongjoong..."

"I'm serious Seonghwa..." he paused, biting his lip even harder than before, "...I don't think there's any choice in fighting whatever is budding between us...and if it means I can finally have something...or someone... to call mine, then I want that...I want you with me for as long I can get."

"Do you truly understand what you're asking for? If I do this...you don't understand the possible consequences that could happen to you." I sighed, sitting myself up from him before shaking my head, "Not even I can tell you what could happen, and that's what scares me most..." I whispered.

There was a small flicker in his eyes marking a sense of reflection in my words, and slowly he sat himself up to join me face to face before speaking softly. "I...didn't take into account your fears...I'm sorry for pushing you.."

Granting him a smile, I shook my head. "It's not that I don't want to...believe me love. I just have to prioritize all factors regarding you and your safety, and I don't want any form of harm coming to you if I'm able to prevent it."

"Well...we can let things build on its own then?" Hongjoong smiled for a moment before pointing a mockingly stern finger at me, "but you're not allowed to feed on anyone else but me. Better stock up on blood bags or feast on animals, or whatever..."

"Yes my love, your wish is my command." I chuckled. "Thank you for understanding..."

The male shook his head. "I'm only compromising for now, but at the same time, looking forward to the reward of waiting."

"Of course."

Suddenly, the sound of his stomach growling caught our attention, and an amused smirk grew onto my face. "Maybe it's you who needs to eat."

"Shut up..." Hongjoong blushed before climbing out of bed. "I'll go make something quick to eat."

"There's no need, Wooyoung prepared meals for you already in the refrigerator."

Hongjoong's eyes grew wide. "Why would he do that?"

"I think he took his job of protecting you seriously."

"That idiot..." he muttered, but I noticed the faint smile on his lips as he walked out the room.

Chuckling to myself, I blurred out the room and met him in the kitchen with a smirk, leaning my hand on the counter as I watched him prepare food. "I'm surprised you made such an impression on him. He tends to shy away from dealing with humans."

"It's not like I was the nicest to him." Hongjoong rolled his eyes while opening one of the containers, "he was like a hyper-active puppy who refused to listen to anything I said anyway..."

"You don't seem bothered that, though."

The male paused, letting out a soft sigh before turning to me. "It was...nice? I'm usually alone, but he made his job more entertaining than I had expected...it was nice to have someone to come home to and annoy me."

Nodding, I allowed a comfortable air of silence envelope us as he continued preparing the meal, my mind thinking on the words share between us.

I'm usually alone...

Not wanting to disturb him, I made my way behind the male and wrapped my arms around his body gently before pressing a kiss on top of his head. "You know you won't be alone anymore, right love?"

"I know..." he leaned back into my embrace with a soft smile, "I just didn't expect my company to be creatures I've only read in storybooks. It still feels unreal..."

"I didn't expect to fall in love with a human, and yet here we are."

Hongjoong's breath hitched for a moment before I felt a playful slap on my hand. "Stop with the romantics..."

"I'm just being honest."

"Yeah, yeah...I hear you."

Suddenly, our moment of peace was interrupted by the sound of knocks against his door. "Hongjoong! Open up, it's Han and the guys!"

Hongjoong turned wide-eyed to me and I shook my head with a smile, pressing a tender kiss to his lips before whispering in his ear. "Don't worry, I'll leave you for a few hours. I figured they would want to check on you."

"But I-"

"Shh..." I smiled. "I'll be back at midnight in your room. Just leave your window open for me."

The blue-haired male sighed, but nodding in agreement. Placing one more kiss on his lips, one as tender as could be, I pulled away and flashed myself out before causing any further delay. Deep down I didn't want to leave, but I knew I had to in order for him to return back to his life.

Even if it was temporary...

•••

Sitting in my office, I glanced at the clock on the wall and noticed it was only eight in the evening. My body was screaming at me internally, deeply craving to be back in his presence again. However, with whatever willpower I could muster, I pushed the feeling back and continued to focus on the work in front of me.

Lady Ji Eun had sent message for me regarding the ambush that occurred weeks ago, asking for my court's assistance to help in figuring out the half-bloods true intentions. It wouldn't be just be my court involved, but Chan's and Juyeon's as well, as she believes we were two only courts to be trustworthy enough with the task. Despite being assigned with this position, deep down I knew that this was also her way of keeping her eyes on me and anything I did.

Including trying to figure out my potential mate in the process...

"You look stressed."

"I've seen better nights..." I sighed, not bothering to look up as Felix took his seat inside. "How are you feeling?"

Felix smiled. "I'm fine...I shared it for a reason, Hwa."

"Care to share why? You know you didn't have to."

"Because I can see him as your partner, and he has a past that is painful."

My eyebrow raised in curiosity as I glanced up at the male. "What are you talking about?"

Felix chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. "Considering that you spent basically three days with him, I would've expected you two to share your pasts with each other...but then again, probably not....Just know that he will fit in with us just fine. Scars and all."

Reflecting on his words, I sighed and nodded. "I hope you're right... this bond I'm feeling is growing stronger by the minute."

"Did you dye your hair or something as a coping mechanism? Because this is new, even for you."

"What?"

Felix playfully rolled his eyes, pulling out his phone and held it out towards me. "Did you not see it? You have a white streaks in your hair. If you're experimenting with new choices, I'm not sure if this the route to go, Hwa."

Taking in my hair in the reflection, my eyes grew wide, my finger tentatively touching the areas of white peaking through the pink before looking up at the male. "Felix...I didn't do this."

"It's okay, Hwa. We've all had bad hair dyes..." Felix laughed, but when he noticed my face not changing, he gasped, "you're being serious? What the hell?"

"My hair wasn't like this when I left his apartment...I don't know what's going on."

"Okay, okay, let's not freak out. Call Hyunjin in and maybe he can help with an explanation."

"There's no need, I was already coming in to find you baby," Hyunjin sighed as he stepped inside, instantly taking in my appearance, "well then...didn't expect that to happen already."

"What are you talking about?" Felix asked as he watched his mate walk over to me.

Hyunjin took a strand of my hair in his hands before sighing. "The mating process is happening faster than  I thought. I wouldn't be surprised if his hair color also starts changing."

"Shouldn't I tell him?" I asked exasperatedly, "this isn't something normal for me, and I'm damn sure it won't be normal for him either."

Hyunjin shook his head. "Not yet...it's probably happening faster for you than him. Last thing you want to do is freak him out. Just let nature take its course."

"Look at it this way Hwa," Felix smiled, but I could tell behind his smile that there was caution in his words, "at least that means you two are in the right direction...?"

Taking a deep breath to compose myself, I forced a smile and nodded. However, with everything going on, I couldn't shake off this feeling in my gut.

This is going to make things that much more complicated...