Chapter 12

Mu Yang poured himself another cup of coffee and sank into one of the chairs in the doctors' lounge. He had been on duty for twenty hours and was completely drained. As he sipped the bitter liquid, he pulled out his phone and checked for a reply from Jia Hao.

Mu Yang: "How are you? What are you doing?"

Jia Hao: "I'm at home. Why don't you come over?"

A tired smile curved his lips. Just reading that message made everything feel a little lighter. He glanced at his watch and replied:

Mu Yang: "I'm off in half an hour. Is that okay?"

Jia Hao: "I'll be waiting. See you in a bit."

Mu Yang downed the rest of his coffee and headed back toward the ER.

---

Jia Hao opened the door and stepped aside to let him in.

His damp hair smelled like shampoo, and the exhaustion on his face was undeniable.

"You're exhausted," Jia Hao said softly, brushing a hand over his cheek and placing a light kiss on his lips.

"I worked a twenty-one-hour shift," Mu Yang replied with a tired smile.

Jia Hao took his backpack and jacket, hanging them by the door. "Have you eaten?"

The werewolf shook his head.

"I'll make you something. You sit and rest."

But Mu Yang shook his head again. He knew that if he sat down now, he'd fall asleep in seconds. "I'll help," he said, following Jia Hao into the kitchen.

While Jia Hao prepared the steaks, Mu Yang took care of the salad.

"How was your night?" the werewolf asked, taking a bite of meat and realizing just how hungry he was.

Jia Hao thought back to the past few hours. He had gone out to try and feed, but without success. So he had come home and read for a while.

"Quiet."

"You didn't work?"

Jia Hao shook his head. "Anthony told me to take a few days off until I've fully recovered."

Mu Yang put down his cutlery and looked at him more intently. "Even if you don't like it, it's the right decision. He's looking out for you."

Jia Hao gave him a mock-offended look, then nodded. Anthony truly was trying to care for everyone. "Yes, he's a good leader."

"You still haven't… fed?"

Jia Hao shook his head again.

Mu Yang's expression turned serious. "Is something wrong?"

The vampire didn't answer. The problem is that the only blood I want to drink right now is yours, he thought. But aloud he said only, "Eat, or you'll pass out from hunger."

Mu Yang didn't press the issue and turned back to his food.

Once they were done eating, they cleared the table and moved into the living room.

Mu Yang's eyes widened at the view through the large glass window. Part of Oldgrove was visible, bathed in multicolored night lights.

"It's beautiful," he murmured, stepping closer.

Jia Hao smiled. Many vampire communities lived in underground megastructures—complete with homes, shops, gyms, and restaurants—so they could move freely even during daylight hours. His parents lived in one of them, just outside Oldgrove.

But when Jia Hao had moved out, he chose a penthouse in a human-occupied building. He couldn't go out during the day, of course, but at night he would lift the blinds covering the windows and feel free.

He looked at Mu Yang, whose features were gentle and eyes full of life. It was rare to see someone who hadn't been hardened by life—human or vampire alike.

His phone buzzed. Seeing who it was, he gave Mu Yang an apologetic glance and stepped away to take the call.

Mu Yang nodded and made his way to the L-shaped grey couch. He sank into the cushions and turned his gaze to the city beyond the glass.

---

"Sorry—just something about the shift schedule," Jia Hao said when he returned to the living room. But then he fell silent.

Mu Yang was asleep.

He walked over slowly to be sure, then gently draped a blanket over him and sat down beside him.

Removing his shoes, Jia Hao folded his legs on the cushions. No one had ever slept in that apartment besides him. He had never brought any of his casual lovers home. There had never been anything serious enough to invite someone into this space.

This place had always been his sanctuary.

But with Mu Yang there, it felt different—and not in a bad way. On the contrary, it was a feeling he hadn't known he was missing. One of many new emotions he was experiencing because of the werewolf.

The blinds began to lower automatically, sealing the apartment from the first light of dawn. Jia Hao cast one last glance at the darkening sky, then leaned back into the couch, his gaze resting softly on the man sleeping beside him.