27. Unpleasant Encounter

"I can't believe you signed a consent form without our permission son, you are our child, aren't we allowed to step in on matters like this?" Yeon's father was furious as they left the police station. Despite their intervention, Yeon had been adamant on doing this by himself but his parents had insisted on tagging along.

Once they reached home, they found out Mijin and Niel had prepared lunch for both of them. Yeon's mother had stepped out that day to run errands.

"I'm not hungry. I'll be in my room." Yeon said without glancing at his sister and his Niel.

"Dad, what happened to him?" Mijin asked upon hearing the door close behind Yeon.

"Those insensitive police put him through an unnecessary interrogation without a care to what he's gone through. The moment we got close to those animals, they quickly reacted to Yeon's scent! I felt helpless, unable to protect him! They made me feel like a lousy parent when they kicked me out of the interrogation!"

"Dad, I'm really sorry you both had to go through that. I'm the one who invited Yeon to that party so I take full responsibility..."

"As you should! I told you to take care of your brother and look at him now! I even allowed your man-boy to stay with you to protect him and what did you do? You became complaisant."

"Sir..." Niel tried to apologize but Yeon's father wouldn't have it.

"A pair, that's all I asked for and even at that, you both failed. Luckily one of Yeon's ex-girlfriends came through and is willing to pair up with him. She is to join us today. Your mother must have already fetched her."

"Dad! You're only going to further ruin Yeon!" Mijin shouted, slamming her palms on the dining table and stood up. "Yeon dated his exes to mark them and here you are exposing him..."

"Sit down child before I forget I gave birth to you! You think this is a joke? Everywhere your brother goes, he continuously affects those around him! He's lost all the chances he has meeting his fated mate too! Who'd want to pair up with someone who has been marked multiple times? Soon, your brother will succumb to uncontrollable heat cycles as well..."

"Dad, he can hear you in the next room!" Mijin warned, afraid his brother might go into heat if he was to give into anger.

"Now I have to watch my own tongue in my house too?" Yeon's dad said as he stormed out towards his son's room. After knocking a few times with no response, he opened the door.

"Son, are you asleep?" He asked, walking towards his son's bed and pulled a chair to sit down beside a fully covered Yeon. He didn't move.

"I'm sorry I lost my temper out there however, you and I are more alike as your mother is to your sister. We're more practical. I want you to know I'm always here for you and we will stick to the solution your mother and I discussed about. I'm sure you can understand that."

"Yes dad." Yeon answered as he pushed the blanket from his face and sat upright to lean back on the bed. He seemed emotionless, his usual stoic face in place.

"Now that we are alone, did you recognize any of those monsters, including the one recently brought in?"

"No dad, they didn't recognize me either but were reactive to my scent though the police updated me they seem much more calmer as opposed to when they were brought in. Only one guy didn't react to me...I guess I didn't imprint on him."

"Still, he remains an accomplice." Yeon's dad said, saddened by his son's passive mood. "We must remain vigilant without being complacent. I pressured those handling your case with the lawyer and it appears the fourth guy turned himself in claiming his life was in danger...like someone was chasing after him."

This new information seemed to have caught Yeon's attention since he probed for more. "I thought they caught everyone involved in my kidnapping?"

"Remember the doctor said your eye colour is too bright for just imprinting on three people. Probably there is a fifth person or more involved that you'd imprinted on..."

"Dad, those guys kept saying sorry to me...except for the last guy, who showed remorse for what had happened to me but didn't utter a single word..."

"Even so you musn't be moved by their pleas. It could just be your imprint on them talking. Keep in mind how many people they have done this to and had nobody to save them."

Yeon's face lit up suddenly when a memory of Stan flashed in his mind. He had successfully managed to avoid him...and Elric. Stan had acted possessively multiple of times towards him and he didn't need anyone pitying him just so he'd pair up with them....Elric on the other hand had been straightforward from the beginning. Even tough he was a renowned asshole, at least there would be no attachment between them once he completed his marking through intercourse. Besides, he wasn't repulsed by his scent and no attachment meant he'd walk freely after they were both done with each other. Stan on the other hand seemed to want something more...a connection...attachment and that's what Yeon hated the most. He'd promised himself to never love again.

Looking at his father, he remembered Suzzie, his ex was to come today. Wasn't the reason why they broke up because she was to wed? She'd refused to be marked by Yeon, rejecting him for a much good looking guy saying he was more manlier and worthy to mark him. Luckily, with the help of Niel, Yeon was able to get over her and afterwards, he'd started to become more aware of Niel only to find out he'd initially become his friend just so he could get close to Mijin.

"What are you thinking about son?"

"Dad, you don't have to worry about me not meeting my fated mate...or falling in love since clearly, that won't be happening to me in this lifetime..."

Reaching a comforting hand towards his son, Yeon's father said, "I'm glad you've given up on that thought. It is best at this point to live without any expectations otherwise you'll only be more depressed. If you meet someone you like along the way, then that will be a plus. For now, I'm contended that you've accepted to give a chance to your ex girlfriend Suzzie. She was God sent, reaching out to us first. She must have heard of your story from people's gossip and seeing that you both shared a past, she decided to reach to your mother and I."

Even though Yeon wished his parents had informed him before getting in touch with Suzzie and inviting her over, it was pointless to argue out his case now, seeing how relieved his father was that someone finally agreed to pair up with him. Either way, it didn't matter. It was too late to be picky. After the marking, Yeon thought to break up with Suzzie before old feelings began to build up.

"Dad..."Mijin appeared at the door, a look of confusion on her face.

"What is it daughter?"

"We have guests...Yeon, you might want to come too."

"Where is your mother?"

"Tendering to the guests..."

"If it's Suzzie, just send her over. I'm sure Yeon wouldn't mind."

The look of desperation on Mijin's face as she glanced at his brother made their father rethink his decision. Come to think of it, Mijin had mentioned guests. Wasn't Suzzie the only one they were expecting? He wondered.

Standing up, he left Yeon's room without a word and seeing this window of opportunity, Mijin closed the door and ran towards his brother and whispered, "Stan is here Yeon!"

"What?" Yeon felt his body begin to shiver. How did he find out where I was? He wondered as he got out of bed and ran quickly to the door to lock it.

"Mijin...How...Why is he here?"

Mijin knew it was pointless to hide it now. After all, she knew the truth but had promised Elric she wasn't going to tell anyone of it. "Yeon, Stan seems serious about you...he came with his parents..."

"What?" Yeon exclaimed to which Mijin immediately covered his mouth and shushed him.

"Calm down little brother, I can already begin to sense your scent sipping out. Can you imagine going into heat right now? That ugly Suzzie is also here with mom..."

Yeon nodded in agreement and Mijin let go. "What the heck is going on?"

"I'm sorry bro, I told Elric where you were...and I believe Stan must have threatened him to reveal the truth..."

"Why would you tell Elric in the first place where I was?" Yeon whispered, trying to control his anger towards his sister. "I specifically told you to not tell anyone especially those two where I was. Now how I'm I supposed to hide? Where else would I hide with my current condition except here where I feel most safe Mijin?"

"Shhh! Lower your voice Yeon and calm down..."

"His scent...I can feel it..." Yeon's anxiety was building up and Mijin pulled him towards the bed to sit down. She watched as his brother's scent slowly began to diminish and after a while, she advised him to match her breathing until he calmed down.

Glancing towards his sister with a look of surprise on his face, Yeon whispered happily, "that's the first time I've successfully calmed down without going into heat... how did you do it? I can hardly smell your sent since it's faint."

Mijin was tempted to confess she had nothing to do with it. Stan must have sensed Yeon going into heat and released his scent to calm him down. It was amazing to witness his brother react to someone else's scent...it almost reminded her of her parents who were also fated. Suddenly a wave of sadness swept over her when she realized she and Niel were not fated despite numerous attempts to respond to each others scent.

"Yeon, you did that all on your own...I only guided you once your scent diminished."

A knock on the door startled them and a female voice called out for Yeon. Mijin and Yeon looked at each other and from Mijin's perspective, the little lie she'd told his brother seemed to have had a huge impact on him. His face shone as he stood up to unlock the door and was face to face with his ex girlfriend.

"Yeon.."

"Suzzie, it's been four years. How have you been?"

She seemed shocked by how happy Yeon appeared. She'd thought he'd reject her at least. "I've...been well...I...you look pretty...I mean your eyes, they are pretty..."

"So you're saying my brother isn't cute?" Mijin shouted, unable to contain the awkwardness in front of her. She became more irritated when she saw Yeon stiffen when Stan appeared behind Suzzie.

"Hello Yeon..." Glancing at the image of an infuriated Mijin, Stan added with a nod, "Mijin."