"Male, gunshot wound to the side..." the rest of the words became muffled as Mu Yang looked at the young man lying on the stretcher.
"Still no ID on the assailant?" asked the doctor beside him.
"Not this time. He was caught," replied one of the paramedics.
Mu Yang stiffened. "What did you say?"
"The werewolf who fired the shot was caught."
"They finally got him?" He could hardly believe that story had come to an end.
"A vampire caught him. I don't know exactly how. We were focused on stabilizing the victim. I think they fought—there were two others injured too."
"It's the same vampire who saved you, doctor," the other paramedic added.
Mu Yang's heart skipped a beat. He froze. "Was he hurt?"
"Yes, but nothing looked serious."
"Thanks," he said, watching them wheel the stretcher into the examination room. Then he turned to his colleague. "Dr. Miller, take over for me." He walked away, removing his mask, gloves, and gown. His heart was pounding as he grabbed his phone and made the call.
"Are you okay?" Jia Hao's voice sounded alarmed.
"Are you okay?"
"Mu Yang, what's wrong?"
"Are you hurt?"
"It just grazed my arm—nothing serious. But how do you know?"
"One of the paramedics recognized you. Did you see a doctor?"
"It's nothing. I'll let you put a couple stitches in later if you feel like coming over."
Mu Yang frowned slightly—if stitches were needed, it wasn't nothing. "Just the arm?"
"Yes. Just a scratch. Don't worry."
Mu Yang finally exhaled. His heart slowed to a normal rhythm. "Alright. I'll come over."
"See you soon."
The doctor ran a hand through his hair, straightened his back, and went to speak with Dr. Silver.
---
Jia Hao was surprised when, less than half an hour later, Mu Yang rang the intercom.
"Weren't you getting off at dawn?" he asked as he let him in.
Mu Yang gave him a look. "Did you really think I'd stay at work?"
"Well… there wasn't any urgency."
Mu Yang frowned. "Tell me something—when you were a kid and you got sick, did your parents finish their shifts before taking care of you?"
"We had a housekeeper. She looked after me and my brother."
Mu Yang studied his face. He was serious.
They really did come from two completely different worlds—different ways of showing care.
He set down the bag he was carrying. "Take off your shirt and sit."
Jia Hao obeyed, watching as Mu Yang prepared the tools, then gently unwrapped the blood-soaked bandage.
Mu Yang sat beside him, anesthetized the area, and stitched the wound—ten stitches in total. Not as bad as he feared.
"The scratches I gave you yesterday haven't healed yet," he said, lightly brushing them with a fingertip.
The cut on Jia Hao's hand, on the other hand, had already closed.
"I was out feeding, but I ran into the shooter right after he'd attacked another werewolf. I managed to catch him before he got away." He watched Mu Yang's face closely.
"Thank you for stopping him," Mu Yang said softly.
Jia Hao's shoulders tensed.
"That means a lot to me—and to the whole pack."
The vampire nodded.
"Hao-ge."
Jia Hao smiled. "What is it, Xiao Yang?"
"Why haven't you fed yet?"
Jia Hao grew serious. "It's not that simple…"
"Please. I want to understand. I want to know you better."
Seeing the concern in his eyes, Jia Hao realized it was time to explain, even though he didn't know how Mu Yang would take it.
"For a vampire, drinking blood can be like having a regular meal—and that's all it is, unless a bond forms. But if a vampire does bond with someone… he only feeds from that person. Drinking from anyone else would feel like… betrayal."
He looked at Mu Yang, who met his gaze without flinching. "Is that why you haven't fed—because of me?"
Jia Hao didn't answer right away. He feared that if he put his feelings into words, Mu Yang would pull away. At last, he lowered his eyes.
"Since you came into my life, the thought of drinking from a stranger disgusts me. I keep wondering what you taste like…"
"Then… taste me."
Jia Hao looked up, hope flaring in his chest. "I thought werewolves don't let vampires drink from them."
Mu Yang took his hands in his own. "Jia Hao, I don't care what others do. You can drink from me. That's my choice. What do you want?"
"I want you."
Mu Yang smiled. "Then I guess that's settled."
A huge weight lifted off Jia Hao's chest. He smiled too.
"My neck?" Mu Yang asked.
"My wrist," Jia Hao replied, leading him to the couch.
Mu Yang pulled off his sweatshirt, leaving only his short-sleeved shirt, and offered his left wrist.
"You sure?"
Mu Yang nodded. A shiver ran down his spine as Jia Hao's fingers brushed his skin.
He watched the vampire lean in. Felt the sting. Then Jia Hao began to drink. Mu Yang saw his Adam's apple rise and fall. He closed his eyes.
The warmth of Jia Hao's lips on his skin stirred something deep within him. A low moan escaped as the vampire's hand slid to his waistband, unbuttoning his trousers and releasing him. He began to stroke him gently.
The orgasm crashed over Mu Yang like a wave. When he opened his eyes, Jia Hao was smiling at him, radiant.
"I never imagined it could be like this…"
Jia Hao licked the bite clean and leaned in to kiss him.
---
Mu Yang's blood tasted thick and rich, like wild musk at dawn. Earthy, untamed. It was the most powerful thing Jia Hao had ever drunk.
Different from a vampire's blood—its energy just as intense, but uniquely his.
He looked at Mu Yang's flushed, dazed face and felt a wave of happiness.
"How do you feel?"
"Like I'm… floating," Mu Yang murmured. His body felt like liquid. Loose, relaxed, fulfilled. "That was incredible."
Jia Hao smiled, licking his lips. "Me too."
They sat together on the couch, Jia Hao still holding Mu Yang's wrist, silent—each lost in his own thoughts.
Mu Yang wasn't sure he could move even if he wanted to.
Eventually, the energy began to return to his limbs.
Jia Hao kissed him. "Thank you," he whispered.
Mu Yang gently bit his lip. "You don't have to thank me."
The vampire laughed softly. "I'll get you a clean robe," he said, rising.
Mu Yang nodded and followed him toward the bathroom.
---
"I ordered food," Jia Hao said as he returned to the living room.
Mu Yang's stomach grumbled in appreciation.
He'd changed into the clean clothes and underwear Jia Hao had left for him.
When the vampire returned with the takeout bags, he laughed. "You ordered from my parents' restaurant!"
"It's the best food I've ever had," Jia Hao replied, setting the containers neatly on the table.