° Chapter. 16

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As you sat in silence beside Jungkook in his car – currently on route to Taehyung's boutique to pick up your dress for the ball later on that evening; Jungkook replayed the words you heard from your brother each time you paid him a visit. Jungkook may have seemed quiet to you on the outside, but inside his mind was the loudest it had ever been with the thought of; what in the devils name did your brother mean by '…he'll find you, (Y/N)'?

"Yoongi was locked away for thirteen years – ever since he murdered my (Y/N)'s parents…" Jungkook pressed his foot down on the gas pedal, his thoughts racing over a hundred miles an hour in his brain as he tried to decipher if there was any meaning to your brothers terrifying words. "Has Yoongi broken out to come and finish what he started? Has he come straight to (Y/N) because it would be impossible to get to Cassidy in the psychiatric hospital?" he languished to himself. Jungkook knew that there was no way on earth that Yoongi would be able to go to any establishment such as a psychiatric unit – for every single Vampire in the world was on high-alert for him. Jungkook could put his mind at ease, knowing that if Yoongi so much as stepped a foot inside a public establishment such as the one your brother resided in; he would risk getting caught, which would undoubtedly lead to his complete and utter downfall. Jungkook had since concluded that his older cousin was of course a fool – but he wasn't so stupid as to recklessly let himself get caught like that.

"I HAVE to relay all of this to Taehyung…maybe he has found out the reason as to why (Y/N)'s touch seems to make us…feel alive?" he pondered. Yet, amidst his confusion and worry for your wellbeing, Jungkook couldn't help but feel completely defeated at your description of Vampires as 'monsters'. He longed to tell you – to let you know who he really was. He desired for nothing more than to just completely open up to you and let you in on his deepest, darkest secret. "After the ball…I can't keep this from her any longer" he had concluded. Jungkook had made up his mind that if he was going to fully expose himself as something you considered to be a monster from some type of fairytale, he was going to at least have one last, spell-bounding night with you. So that – even if you did end up running a mile away from him in the opposite direction; Jungkook would have this final memory of you to cherish – so long as his immortal being should live.

You knew that something was off with Jungkook since you both got up together, earlier that morning. After waking up in Jungkook's arms for the fifth consecutive day in a row, it had become almost second nature to be met by his warm, charming smile; followed by several feverish, yet tender kisses to your lips as a means to say 'good morning.' However, upon looking up into his face this morning, you were greeted by complete silence – with only a small, chaste kiss to your forehead before Jungkook told you what time you would both be departing for Taehyung's at. Usually, you felt swaddled in layers of felicity and bliss in his presence; but you began to feel more regretful as the car journey went by. You noticed that Jungkook seemed more distant than before – only speaking to you when you spoke to him or when he needed to tell you something of importance to do with the ball.

"Is it…because of my past?" you began to eat your own heart out at such thoughts. "Maybe he thinks my brother and I are crazy too…" you lamented – before deciding that enough was enough and that you were going to try and clear the uncomfortable atmosphere between you both. Jungkook had since become too important to you, and you knew that you were the type of person who would always fight for what they wanted.

"Jungkook" you spoke up, breaking the silence in the car.

"Hmm?" Jungkook hummed, still deeply lost in his thoughts that plagued him so.

"Look…maybe me telling you about my past was a mistake. I'm sorry if I made you think differently of me, or if you feel weird around me now – but I felt like you needed to know since –"

"(Y/N) – what on earth are you talking about?" Jungkook immediately interrupted you, being able to sense the nervousness in your vitals from a mile off. You turned your head to him slowly, watching his eyes glance back and forth between concentrating on the road and concentrating on you.

"It just feels like you've been quiet and awkward around me since I told you last night. You know…this is exactly the reason why I don't tell anyone about what happened to my parents" your voice dipped in sadness as you genuinely thought that your tale of blood and woe had completely and utterly turned Jungkook off from you.

Jungkook's throat produced an exasperated sigh. He began opening and closing his mouth in an attempt to gather the correct words to convey to you that his silence, although it did concern you, wasn't due to his feelings for you changing; for they remained just as strong, if not even stronger.

"You're so wrong, (Y/N). You couldn't be more wrong if you tried" he spoke back in a deep yet caring, baritone whisper that caught your attention. "I'm…I'm honoured that you felt like you could trust me enough to open up to me. I feel…grateful? I feel grateful to be the only person you've ever shared your secrets with. Do you honestly think that something like that would make me love you any less?" Jungkook blurted out as his hand placed itself on top of yours that were folded neatly, yet shyly in your lap.

You looked down to his hand on top of yours – watching the way he lovingly squeezed it as his words resounded in your mind. You didn't know why, but you were so overcome with so many emotions that you just began welling up. You didn't want to cry in front of him as you feared looking weak – but your tears only evoked even stronger feelings from Jungkook of wanting to shield you from everything you had been enduring thus far.

"Please don't cry my love…" Jungkook murmured softly as he felt you clutch on to his hand like a child would to their father. "The reason why I've been so quiet…is because I feel so terrible that I didn't know any of this. Knowing that you had to go through it alone – with no one else to carry the burden with you…makes me feel so rotten inside. Forgive me – I didn't mean to cause any shrouds of doubt to make their way into your thoughts" Jungkook didn't lie to you when he reassured you – but he didn't tell the truth either.

"No, don't be sorry I just…I was so scared to tell you in case you thought I was some crazy freak with my story about Vampires killing my parents and my brother being in a mental hospital. I'm sorry for overreacting like this. I just…didn't want you to think any differently of me." You lay your cards out fully on the table for Jungkook as you began drying your tears with the sleeve of one of your old sweaters you had thrown on you. Jungkook winced as he wanted to just pull the car over and hold you in his arms. He wanted to tell you that he understood the deep fear of the unknown that lurked within you; for it lurked within him too.

"I was thinking to myself earlier…when is the next time you're due to go and visit Cassidy?" Jungkook decided to try and steer the conversation away from the topic of uncovering hidden secrets.

You glanced outside the window, the thoughts of your brother sailing through your mind. "I was actually meant to go next Sunday. But – with my apartment being flooded and everything else…I was going to leave it until another time" you looked back over towards Jungkook; noticing that his hand was still firmly clasped around yours. "Why?"

Jungkook swallowed hard, blinking softly a few times and thinking carefully about how to word his answer – for he had two important reasons behind asking you about it in the first place. First and foremost, Jungkook was more than curious to see the picture that your brother had been drawing of 'Dracula.' In his own way, he wanted to see the drawing for himself to fully confirm the likeness that it may resemble to his older cousin. But – he had opted for telling you the other reason instead.

"If you want, I can drive both of us up there on Sunday. I was thinking that maybe, we could go and see him together?" he replied nonchalantly, as if it were no big deal to him at all.

"Wait – are you serious? You…you actually wanna go there with me? To a psych hospital?" you questioned him with your mouth hanging open slightly and an astonished look present on your face.

"(Y/N), Cassidy is your brother. He's a part of you – and he's important to you, yes?" he asked, seeing you nodding your head from out of the corner of his eye.

"Anyone who is important to you is also important to me. You're…you're my partner now. Which means Cassidy is included in my list of priorities too." Jungkook gave your hand one final squeeze before placing it back on the wheel – slowing down ever so slightly as the car began nearing a set of traffic lights. Jungkook had since brooded over the fact that Sid had essentially been locked up for the last thirteen years – much like Yoongi; except Sid did nothing wrong other than unknowingly let a rogue Vampire into his house. Jungkook found himself feeling terribly guilty and responsible – and he wanted to do whatever he could to make up for the fact your brother had to be left with his own tortured thoughts.

You couldn't stop yourself from letting a sad, sorry smile form on your face in response to his words. "To think I was silly enough to let myself believe he'd be like that" you breathed a tiny sigh of relief. To say that you were taken aback by Jungkook's request to accompany you to see your brother, would have been a massive understatement. It felt almost like a sliver of hope in the dark, murky waters of your sorrowful mind; your past always trying to drag you down and drown you – and Jungkook being the one to pull you to the surface for air.

"I…thank you, Jungkook. You've no idea how much that means to me" you caught his eye as you both passed silent, yet whimsical smiles between each other.

All thoughts of your past, your brother and your bad luck with your apartment all seemed to vacate your train of thought as you stepped out of Jungkook's car upon arriving at Taehyung's boutique. Even though you had already seen it before, the cottage's quaint tranquillity instilled perfect serenity within you. Your eyes twinkled as noticed the gentle lavender of the creeping wisteria that you didn't even spot last time, and the way it curled around the white, wooden arch at the front door. You also didn't notice that you had been standing still – smiling like there was no tomorrow; with Jungkook admiring just how truly beautiful you looked in that moment.

"Even though I see her smile often, each smile of hers seems different. Like she's always evolving…or perhaps I'm just too besotted to come to my senses" Jungkook grinned boyishly to himself as he walked around the car, before beckoning you forward with his hand to join him at the door. As he rang the doorbell, you couldn't help but notice how – for once, Jungkook seemed less like a CEO, appearing more 'normal'; as he wore a pair of dark-blue jeans with a simple white shirt and the sleeves slightly rolled up. Looking down at yourself and realising that you were both dressed relatively similar to each other, you turned your head to the side; hiding the small grin that formed on your lips as you thought about how much of a couple you both looked like right then and there.

A few seconds later, you were both met at the door by an overjoyed Taehyung in his black dress pants, a white ruffled shirt with delicately decorated lace, and black braces to match as he clasped his hands together at the image of you both before him. However, the moment that you had both stepped out of Jungkook's car – a faint, yet potent smell made itself known to both Taehyung and Jimin inside the cottage. Upon opening the door, the smell only got ten times stronger as it was practically radiating off both you and Jungkook. This in turn, left Taehyung with a coy, devilish grin on his face as he greeted you.

"My, my, my! Aren't you two a sight for sore eyes~" he cooed, opening his arms to welcome you into his embrace. "And I must say, (Y/N) – you smell absolutely…heavenly" Taehyung's voice dripped with an indelicate meaning as you gave him a quick hug, thinking to yourself "Huh? I didn't put any perfume on…maybe he's talking about Jungkook's shower-gel that I used?" Unbeknownst to you, Taehyung was making direct eye-contact with Jungkook – who picked up on the true intentions behind his words. Jungkook gave him a playful scowl in return; a look that said "Don't even start." He knew that Taehyung and Jimin would have been able to pick up on the fact that you both had mated since the last time you all saw each other – thanks to their heightened sense of smell; but also due to the fact that Vampire sex was so powerful and sacred, that it left a hedonistic aroma that lingered for a good twenty-four hours after. Since the last time you and Jungkook were tangled between the sheets was the previous night, the smell was still more than prevalent. And – judging by the smug look on Taehyung's face, he knew well enough that Jungkook had deflowered you and made you his; in more ways than the obvious.

"It's so good to see you again, Taehyung" you said as you broke the hug – watching his eyes glisten and twinkle at you. "I can't tell you how excited I am to see my dress!" you really couldn't hide your eagerness at this point, making Taehyung giggle like a little boy as he opened the door wide to let you both come inside.

"Likewise my darling – I simply cannot wait to see you in my creation. My ambition certainly lived up to the expectations of my talents; if I do say so myself~" he winked at you as you all made your way across the wooden floor of the shabby-chic boutique.

"Oh and I hope you don't mind, Jungkook – I took the liberty of picking out a suit to match (Y/N)'s dress for you to wear as well. We can't have you both looking like a pair of odd socks now, can we?" Taehyung informed Jungkook while he began clearing a few sheets of fabric off a stand-alone table with a sewing machine next to it. Jungkook gave you a wry smirk as he shook his head in jest – rolling his eyes before leaning against the table to look at Taehyung directly.

"Of course you did, cousin. I would expect nothing less –"

"Nothing less than the best! I know dear, I know!" Taehyung clapped back before turning to you and smiling – his stare intense and unwavering that made you feel like a hot spotlight had just been placed above your head.

"Now my beautiful flower, Jimin and I have your dress ready and waiting for you. But!" he paused, holding his hand out for you to place yours in his, "We must do something with your hair and make-up first. If you would be so kind as to accompany me to the back, there's a make-up artist and a hair stylist ready and waiting to accentuate the natural beauty you already possess~"

You widened your eyes in amusement, smiling back and forth between the two men – feeling a little like a huge celebrity who was getting ready to go to an awards show.

"Okay! Oh, by the way – where is Jimin? I haven't seen him yet" you asked rather excitedly as you panned your eyes around the room in search of him.

"Oh~ Jimin is probably adorning himself with some finishing touches to his own outfit – don't worry my love! When I come to dress you, he'll be close by to help me arrange it on you" Taehyung replied very matter-of-factly.

"…when you come to dress her?" Jungkook piped up rather cynically – folding his arms across his body as Taehyung began leading you through the grand, oak door to the back area. Taehyung chuckled impishly as he turned around, looking over your shoulder and offering Jungkook a serious, yet playful professional expression.

"Why yes! One simply cannot just put my creation on her body – not even herself. It needs a master's touch, Jungkook. I am the only one who can achieve that~ don't you agree?" Taehyung winked at you as you found yourself blushing in turn – somewhat loving the fact that Jungkook was letting a hint of jealousy seep through at the thought of another man seeing or touching you in such a way.

"Oh don't be so green with envy Jungkook; it's not a good look on you! (Y/N) is an absolute rare beauty but – I'm afraid she lacks the anatomy that makes me –"

"Alright! Fine – enough…" Jungkook cut Taehyung off before any more words could be said as you held back fits of laughter. You couldn't stop yourself from thinking just how cute Jungkook was in that moment. Even though Taehyung was about as straight as a round-about, Jungkook still felt rather possessive of you. You always thought that jealous and protective boyfriends seemed somewhat troubling and problematic. But now that you were actually in such a situation, you found yourself feeling more or less smug and happy at the fact Jungkook wanted you all to himself; and no one else.

"I'll just drop you off with the hair and make-up artists – and after they have finished, I will come to help you, okay?" Taehyung led you through the oak door, continuing his friendly chit-chat with you as Jungkook listened to the sound of your fading voices from behind it. Jungkook shook his head, almost laughing to himself as he backed up and took a seat on one of the plush, antique style chairs in the middle of the boutique. "I guess I am jealous…how did you make me this way, (Y/N)?" he produced a full toothed smile in disbelief of his own feelings. A few moments of silence later, Jungkook heard footsteps approaching the same door, before Taehyung stepped through. This time, Jimin was with him – dressed rather similarly to Taehyung, only smaller details such as having no braces and instead, wearing a black, lace-velvet bow-tie in his ensemble. Jungkook stood up to greet Jimin – both Vampires bowing their heads to each other, with Jimin bowing slightly lower out of respect for the Prince.

"It's good to see you again, Jimin. Have you been well?" Jungkook asked in reference to Jimin being a new Vampire – natum lamia.

"My Lord" Jimin bowed his head again – his blonde locks cascading over his face that produced attractive, contouring shadows on his cheekbones. "It's still a little…difficult to be around humans. But I am trying my best every day." Jimin's voice quivered slightly as Taehyung took his hand in his.

"But – you're doing very well. I'm so proud of you, my love" Taehyung pressed his lips to Jimin's cheek affectionately – leaving Jungkook feeling warm and mellow on the inside to witness their love for each other in that moment.

"You should be proud of yourself too, Jimin. It's not easy to do what you're doing. And…you have my respect and admiration." Jungkook offered a gentle smile to the natum lamia – Jimin almost not believing his own hearing as he just received the biggest compliment from none other than the Prince of Vampires himself. Jungkook noticed that since the last time he saw Jimin, he did look a little better in terms of the pigment of his skin and the dark, red circles under his eyes. Natum lamia – in the first few weeks of being bitten; often appeared to look slightly grey in terms of their skin tone. This was simply due to the body adjusting to being dependent on blood and essentially, neither being dead or alive. Jungkook often thought it quite comical that humans always assumed that Vampires were deathly white with pale, porcelain complexions; but they couldn't have been further from the truth. Vampires – just like humans, came in every single shade and skin tone. Of course, paler Vampires did exist; but there were plenty of Vampires - even pure, royal Vampires, who were beautifully rich in melanin; completely contradicting all previous Vampire lore that humans had created for themselves.

"Oh my – how soft we've become with our words, Jungkook" Taehyung turned to his younger cousin – beaming a smile that matched the afternoon sun, before he and Jimin decided to sit opposite Jungkook on the lavish sofa.

"Taehyung – enough" Jungkook spoke up sharply. "We…we have to talk. I have something…very important to tell you."

Taehyung ceased his teasing as he crossed his left leg over his right and leaned forward slightly to look Jungkook in his eyes. "As do I – baby cousin. Please; you first~"

Slowly but surely, Jungkook managed to relay the entire story of how it was actually your parents that Taehyung's older brother – Yoongi, had murdered in cold blood, thirteen years ago. He didn't spare any of the details you had offered him – telling Taehyung of how the autopsy report had been altered by his parents, how your brother had been sent away, and how you ultimately thought that some crazy human killed your parents while living out their fantasy of wanting to be a Vampire. As Jungkook continued to speak, Taehyung sat with pensive eyes and a quiet mind – taking in everything that Jungkook was saying and analysing every single word; while Jimin sat completely silent with his eyes on the floor. Jimin had often wondered about the terrible things that Yoongi had done in the past, since he knew some of it from Taehyung; but he knew it wasn't his place to question Jungkook at all.

"I was planning on telling her the truth…about me being a Vampire" Jungkook swallowed harshly as he locked eyes with Taehyung. "But – how on earth can I do that now?"

Taehyung filled his lungs slowly, clicking his tongue while he let his thoughts race. "Hmmm" he hummed in a slow, eerie tone. "Yes…yes indeed – that's…not what I was hoping to hear." He lowered his eyes to the ground – his heart producing a hammering pain at his new-found knowledge of what his own flesh and blood had caused someone so gentle and caring as you. "Damn you, Yoongi. Damn you to hell" he cursed.

"And – what's even more concerning; I had to take (Y/N) away from her apartment and keep her in the safety of the Manor without alerting her to the situation" Jungkook's words were almost chilling as they held Taehyung in their grasp. "Yoongi…appears to have been stalking (Y/N) ever since he escaped. I fear…I fear what his intentions are. At first, I thought he was possibly trying to get to me…but with (Y/N)'s past in mind…." he let his words trail off as Taehyung kept his stare boldly on him.

"You think he's after her now, too? That he wishes to bestow upon her the same fate as her parents?" Taehyung questioned as he intertwined his fingers rather nervously. Nothing could have ever really intimidated or scared Taehyung; but his elder brother came very close in that respect. He knew what Yoongi was capable of; and to take any of his threats lightly - be you a Vampire or a human, would have been a grave mistake.

"You see – that's what I don't understand" Jungkook knitted his eyebrows together as he rested his elbows upon his knees. "Why would he be so hell-bent on finishing this off thirteen years later? Surely – he would try to find her brother too? None of it makes sense Taehyung. I…I don't know what to do" Jungkook admitted defeat, waving a white flag above his head. He felt almost pathetic that he couldn't come up with any rhyme or reason for the situation at hand. He felt nothing short of useless - like he was just running around like an incompetent child who was failing to keep you protected. It certainly felt to Jungkook that he - as a Vampiric Prince who possessed illustrious and formidable power, could do nothing to defend someone he held so dearly to his heart.

Taehyung raised his head as he looked to the ceiling – his facial expression one of maddened thought and grief, before he rolled his eyes back in Jungkook's direction. "My brother – as unrelatable as he is…he never does anything without purpose. If there is one thing that I've unwillingly learned from him…is that behind every action; there lies intent. Jungkook; Yoongi is not doing this to 'finish off what he started'. No…He's doing this for a greater purpose. I can assure you that."

"What do you mean? Did you learn something? What was it you had to tell me?" Jungkook almost sat on the edge of his seat – his heart very nearly racing.

"I managed to speak with a few elder Vampires. However, I couldn't ask too many questions as I didn't want to raise any suspicions." Taehyung began – even capturing Jimin's attention as he raised his head to listen to his lover's words. "Jungkook…I don't believe that Yoongi wants to end (Y/N)'s life per say. I believe…he may want her for another purpose."

"Purpose? Taehyung I swear, if you don't stop beating around the bush…" Jungkook warned him – flashing a look of unparalleled ferocity to his cousin.

"The elder Vampires wouldn't tell me much – but they seemed to hint at the possibility of a human, who possessed a touch like (Y/N) – to be exponentially powerful…when used a certain way. Jungkook, if my suspicions are correct; I believe that Yoongi knows of (Y/N)'s gift. I believe that's why he's been so adamant on finding her and taking her for himself. However…I don't think he planned on having you in the mix. I think you may have possibly…ruined his plan ever so slightly."

Jungkook gave a perplexed look – passing glances between Taehyung and Jimin. "What do you mean?"

"Isn't it obvious? Jungkook – you have bedded this creature. You have developed real feelings for (Y/N) and – excuse my language, but you're the damn Prince of the Eternal Kingdom. Yoongi knows that he wouldn't be able to go up against you alone. This is why I believe it has taken him so long since he escaped to make a move on her. He probably has friends who are willing to help him. Which leads me to believe that he's anxious…and when Yoongi is anxious…" Taehyung let his sentence die, before Jungkook picked it up for him.

"When he's anxious…he's uncontrollable."

"Like a nuclear bomb.." Taehyung whispered – the thoughts of what Yoongi might possibly wish to use you for instilling great fear inside him. "Look – there's not much we can do for now. All we can do is keep her safe. Yoongi wouldn't dare come to the ball tonight anyway – not with your mother and father there at least. He's not that stupid, surely."

"I'm going to tell (Y/N) the truth. Tomorrow, after the ball. She needs to know…I can't be selfish like this any more." Jungkook felt almost overwhelmed with doubt and sickness inside of him at the thought of your feelings towards him growing to fear and loathing; in place of love and affection. In the midst of his brooding, Jungkook didn't even notice that Jimin had raised his head fully to look at him dead in his face – his features soft and almost understanding.

"My Lord – if I may speak for a moment…"

Jungkook looked to Taehyung, before both Vampires averted their gaze to the natum lamia.

"You may" Jungkook replied in a curious tone.

"It might be useless for me to offer my opinion…but as someone who fell in love with a Vampire…as someone who used to be human with a natural beating heart – I think I can understand how (Y/N) might feel when you tell her. She might be scared of you…she may even tell you that she doesn't believe you and that she doesn't want anything to do with you – especially with her past involving Vampires in mind. But…if she's anything like how I am with Taehyung…she won't be able to deny herself from you for long. I don't know whether it's because of my current condition with my bloodthirst, but there's warmness to (Y/N) that's even rare among humans. She –"

"Taehyung! (Y/N)'s hair and make-up is done. We're ready for you now!" the make-up artist, Arjana – popped her head around the door, cutting Jimin's speech short.

"Thank you Arjana, I'll be right with you~" Taehyung forced a believable, gleaming smile on his face to the female Vampire. "Gentlemen, we shall continue this conversation later. We don't have the time to discuss it right now. Jungkook – your suit is hung up in that glass closet over there, please go and put it on. Jimin, you and I have a masterpiece to finish." Taehyung clapped his hands together as he stood up before extending his arm to Jimin to link up with him.

"I shall be back shortly with your precious jewel~ don't dwell on our conversation, little cousin. Tonight is a night to be enjoyed with her" he placed his free hand on Jungkook's shoulder as a means to offer some sort of comfort to him. Jungkook nodded quickly in response – feeling overwhelmed with nervous and damning thoughts.

"I won't let Yoongi use her for whatever perverse plan he has schemed…

'll stop him dead in his tracks; even if it takes my very last breath to do so."