Mu Yang approached Jia Hao, took his hand, apologised to the elderly werewolf the vampire had been speaking with, and led his companion away.
He slipped through the guests crowding his parents' restaurant and guided him past the doors leading to a hallway and, at the end, to the kitchen. But he stopped almost immediately and opened a hidden door on the left, climbing the narrow staircase between two walls painted red. At the top, he turned left and stopped in a wooden-floored corridor.
He sat down on the floor, drawing his companion to sit beside him.
Mu Yang smiled at him and gestured for him to look ahead.
The wall in front of them was made of glass, offering a view of the restaurant below, and Jia Hao gazed at the elegantly dressed guests who had attended their bonding ceremony.
He turned to look at the werewolf in his white suit, his eyes shimmering with happiness as he gazed down at the room. He was beautiful. And now they were officially mates.
The vampire leaned back against the wall, his thoughts drifting to the ritual, officiated by a werewolf, yet blending the traditions of both werewolves and vampires.
He caught sight of his brother chatting casually with Mu Yang's sister, who was covering her mouth, laughing at something Jia Tian had said.
He had never imagined that happiness could taste so sweet.
Mu Yang handed him a bottle of champagne, which he accepted, taking a sip before passing it back.
The werewolf glanced at it, then drank as well.
The Mu family had welcomed the news of their relationship with joy and had treated him with even greater affection and warmth.
Deciding to celebrate their union officially had been an easy and swift decision.
They had invited only a few of their closest friends and family. Jia Hao had not invited his parents, but his brother had been actively involved in the preparations. It was he who had devised the ritual that wove together the traditions and vows of vampires and werewolves.
He felt Mu Yang's head rest on his shoulder and smiled as he looked at him. He pressed a gentle kiss to his hair and wrapped an arm around his shoulders.
Happiness, he thought, was indeed sweet.