A scream tore from your lips as you jackknifed straight up in the bed you were in.
You were currently safe back at NCT's compound for the last several hours. Once the two of you pulled away, you allowed Taeil to pick you up and carry you. He didn't put you down until you were firmly back in their terrority. But even then you couldn't help but to tighten your arms around him to his surprise. So Taeil didn't put you back down until you were back at the compound. Your Dreamie's kept a constant stream of chatter that helped keep your mind off of the past.
Even back at the compound you realized very quickly that besides a select few most gave you a wide berth. You were happy about that. You knew NCT but for some reason, it was too overwhelming to deal with.
At any other time, the amount of fussing that the Dreamies did over you would have long made you start batting them away. As such it barely phased you. You were pretty sure if they weren't guys there would have been someone with you when you got a shower. You told them that you could handle it. They were anxious as you still seemed to be pretty weak so they ended up running a bath so you could sit down and then exited saying they would be outside your room door, a holler away. The room you used at the NCT compound had its own bathroom. After you managed your bath and changed into your pjs, you called them back in.
Jeno promptly ordered you to bed while Chenle and Jisung fluffed your pillows. Renjun had seen to getting you fed, bringing the food when it was ready while Jaemin insisted on feeding you. And then you started getting sleepy. Renjun sang a sweet lullaby allowing you to drift into sweet dreams.
Until those sweet dreams turned into horrible nightmares.
Shadows danced before your eyes, laughing. You batted them away furiously until you fell from the bed just as the door slammed open. You weren't aware of the pain as still you fought them.
"Noona!!" Jeno cried rushing towards you.
"Get away from me!!" you screamed as if hellhounds were upon you swiping furiously in front of you.
You couldn't see Jeno. All you saw were those horrible shadows.
Jeno reached for you but you scrambled away.
"Leave me alone!!" You sobbed, "Why won't you leave me alone!!"
"Noona! You're okay! You are home now!" Jeno cried.
You slapped your hands over your ears, "Go away! I won't listen to you!"
Jaemin shoved Jeno aside and tried reaching for you, "Noona!"
You lifted your head at the voice, "Jaemin-ah?"
"Noona!" Jisung cried anxiously, "What's wrong?"
You stiffened, tears pouring from you like a river, "They'll get me again. Jaemin-ah. They'll take me away!!"
Jaemin wrapped his arms around you and cried fiercely, "No one will take you away. I promise you!"
"Noona, Jaemin is right! We will never allow it!" Renjun added. Chenle nodded but said nothing.
"What's wrong with her?" Jisung asked, tears beginning to spill, just then Taeyong came rushing into the room.
Taeyong crossed the distance and kneeled next to you. You had calmed but still sobbed in Jaemin's embrace. He reached out to touch you, "Y/N-ah?"
Terrified you screamed and clutched for dear life on Jaemin. Jaemin's eyes flashed red and he pushed Taeyong back baring his fangs, just as Taeil entered.
You gave a loud sob and screamed, "Go away! Go away!"
Taeil swallowed but said nothing. You were in a state of panic and it was instinct to move towards you but even he was stopped by Renjun expectedly yelling, "Alright, everyone out!"
Taeil was shocked that the young vampire dared to pull Taeyong away and throw him towards the door. The Alpha allowed it stumbling into Taeil. Even Jeno was stunned and Jisung flinched.
Renjun bared his fangs at the werewolves, his red eyes flashing once, "Get. Out."
Taeyong thankfully didn't take offense at the moment but instead pulled Jeno and Jisung away towards the door. Taeil glared at Renjun. Did he really dare to keep him from you? Renjun growled at him. Taeyong clapped his hand hard on his shoulder making him look over his shoulder at the Alpha. Something happened, he could see it in Taeyong's eyes. If Taeyong was retreating he thought it prudent to do that same. He glanced back at Renjun who looked ready to fight him. Renjun would never treat them like this if it wasn't serious. Taeil did the hardest thing he ever did, which was to take one glance at you, turn around and exit the room, shutting the door behind him.
Renjun saw a pattern he didn't like. It was only when one of the werewolves did or said something that set you off. He didn't have time for hierarchy at the moment. He hated to verify but he knelt down and touched your shoulder.
"They are gone, Noona. They can't hurt you anymore." he murmured.
You pulled back and looked around, "Please don't let them take me."
Renjun gave a reassuring smile, "They won't I promise. We promise."
You buried yourself back in Jaemin's arms and shuddered.
Renjun signalled Jaemin to take care of you. Jaemin cooed and patted you on the head as Renjun grabbed Chenle and exited the room. Only once the door was shut did Chenle speak. Tears were streaming down his face, "What's wrong with our Noona?"
Renjun shook his head, "I don't know but I realized that she seems to see us, the vampires but not the werewolves. Be that as it may, she is terrified right now. I need you to send a bat to WayV. I think it's past time for them to get involved."
Chenle nodded and wiped away his tears, "NCT might not like it."
Renjun's eyes flashed once, "I don't have time for what NCT may or may not like. It seems she is responding to us and I'm not as smart as Kun-ge. He might be able to help. Now stop arguing with me and if you must do it secretly then do it."
Chenle realized that Renjun was scared too like the rest of them but as the oldest vampire he was trying to hold it together. Chenle nodded and decided to use the back stairs. He wasn't sure if NCT would object or not but better safe than sorry.
Jeno and Jisung related what had happened. NCT were gathered in the living room, hoping to hear news. They all heard your scream. Johnny was almost down the hall when Taeyong, Taeil, Jeno and Jisung exited the room.
"What's wrong with her? Is it nightmares?" Jungwoo asked, sniffing. He hated seeing you like this.
Jeno shrugged helplessly, "It read like a nightmare but it felt like something more."
Mark banged his hand on the couch he was sitting on, his nose flaring. Yuta clutched his katana tightly and clapped on Mark's shoulder.
"What do you mean more?" Jaehyun asked sharply.
"More." Jeno shrugged helplessly, "I don't know!" He turned and punched the nearest wall needing to vent some anger.
Haechan clenched his fist together. He long had a rocky relationship with you since the beginning but after these three weeks, he realized how much you had ingratiated yourself in his heart. Maybe in the beginning he had wished for you and the vampires to go away but slowly he got used to all of you. He just refused to call you Noona. But now he found he didn't want what had happened. You were supposed to be safe so that he could annoy you. Not going through whatever nightmare you were going through.
"Let's try to calm down. We can't help Y/N-ah, if we're in a panic." advised Doyoung.
Taeyong nodded, "Yes, let's wait a few minutes. Perhaps one of them will come and give us news."
He was only prepared to wait another little while before going up again. It stunned him to see Renjun like that. None of the Dreamies, vampires or not, had even gone against their Hyungs before and definitely not against an Alpha. But since he trusted them, he would trust they had a good reason for such a thing.
Taeil gazed up at the balcony hoping for one of the vampires to appear. It seems an eternity later when Chenle showed up.
Chenle pleaded, "Hyungs, please don't be mad."
Taeyong raised an eyebrow, "About what?"
Just then NCT felt it and turned to look at the front door.
Yuta stuttered, "You...when did you...?"
The familiar voice from the other side of the door broke the spell, "Is someone going to open the door?"
Taeyong was the one that walked over. He threw open the door to reveal WayV. His right eye twitched.
"Our younglings called." Kun said by way of greeting.
Johnny spun around and snapped up at Chenle, "Why?!"
But Chenle was saved from answering when Renjun walked into sight. "If you are going to be angry, be angry at me. I asked Chenle to call our tribe."
"You still haven't explained...." Johnny growled but was cut off.
Renjun snapped. "This is not about you! This is about our Noona. Something is wrong with her! And then I realized, she cannot see you werewolves. For some reason every time one of you touched her or said something, she reacted negatively. But she doesn't react the same way with me, Chenle or Jaemin. If that's the case then how will you help her when you set her off!"
"I suggest you let me enter." Kun said calmly.
Taeyong admitted he had to process this but before he could a lone order sounded.
"Let them in."
There was a chorus of, "Hyung?!"
"I won't repeat myself!" snapped Taeil. If what Renjun discovered was true it might be that NCT could no longer help you. As much as it pained him, he would not stand in the way. Taeyong released the door and stood aside.
"Ten, Lucas with me. The rest of you get a good understanding of what is going on. I will expect a report later." Kun said with preamble before flying and landing on the second floor along with Lucas and Ten.
Lucas slung his arms around Renjun and Chenle as they walked back down the hall. Renjun was the one that opened the door. Jaemin looked up with a glare until he saw who it was. You were sleeping fitfully in his arms.
"Noona", Jaemin cooed. You woke up instantly.
"Y/N-ah?"
This voice sounded familiar and you turned to see who it was. You saw Kun smiling at you.
"Kun-ge?"
Kun had never seen you like this. Even before Renjun opened the door he could sense fear so palpable as he was led down the hallway. Your eyes kept darting around. It had been barely a month since he last saw you. What had happened in such a short amount of time? Kun kneeled and placed his hand on your head.
"My little meimei."
"Y/N!"
You looked up to see Ten giving you a smile and Lucas gave you a wave. They could feel it too. Suddenly you darted and clutched Kun's forearms, "Kun-ge. Don't let them take me again. Please. I'll do anything."
"Of course not!" Kun agreed, pulling you to him. You muttered about them not taking you and other things that really made no sense to Kun. He let you cling to him a moment before pulling back, "Y/N. I want you to sleep."
"No!" you snapped, "They'll get me again!"
Kun was calm as his eyes glowed, "They will not. You will sleep and have nothing but sweet dreams."
You did feel sleepy. You blinked rapidly. "As long as they don't get me", was the last thing you murmured before you slumped forward.
A moment of silence passed.
Jaemin stood to his feet and gave a bow, "Kun-ge! I'm really...." his voice caught. He needed to be strong for you. He wiped at the stubborn tears only to find an arm slung over his shoulder.
"Your Noona will be okay!" reassured Lucas.
"Of course. She has both NCT and us." reminded Kun.
Jaemin was vaguely curious although he really cared not at the end of the day, "Were they really mad?"
Ten waved a hand, "They'll get over it."
Jaemin smirked once.
"Lucas, you and WinWin go ahead on." Kun stood up with you and passed you to Lucas, "She's asleep. I will wake her when I return but right now, I need some clear answers on what happened."
This was apparently something he needed to hear for himself.
The group returned to the living room, where NCT were explaining what happened in these last harrowing weeks.
"WinWin, with me!" Lucas called out.
Jeno blinked, "Wait, what?"
WinWin nodded as Lucas came walking down the stairs.
"Wait, are you taking Noona away from us?!" cried Jeno.
"No, but we are taking her for the time being." Kun said, "It seems that Renjun's theory is correct. She had no negative reactions to any of us vampires."
Jaehyun yelled, "We don't care about any of that! What gives you the right?"
Most of NCT agreed.
Ten growled his fangs lengthening. His eyes flashed red once, "You forget, she not only belongs to NCT pack and the Dreamies but also WayV tribe. We have every right!"
NCT and WayV were openly hostile to each other by now. Some of the werewolves uncurled their claws and some of the vampires fangs lengthened.
"Let them go."
The lone voice broke the tensed air. Taeil had his back to you. He had been listening. If he was going to let you go, he couldn't look at you. If he did, he would break his silent promise to you. He was helpless to help you as a werewolf right now.
Taeyong's eyes were wide as he swung around to face him, "Hyung!"
Taeil almost yelled then, "I said, let them go!"
It was dead silence as NCT could only watch as Kun gave Lucas the signal. Then he and WinWin walked out the door. No one said anything until they were mere dots in the sky.
Then Jeno swung around to glare at Jaemin who was drilling a hole in the floor with his eyes, "How could you? You didn't even give us a chance to help Noona and now you vampires are taking her from us!"
When Jaemin said nothing Jeno crossed the distance and grabbed the front of his clothes. In response to this threat, Jaemin returned the gesture and they glared at each other.
"Answer me!" growled Jeno.
Haechan bristled seeing this, "How dare you!"
He quickly crossed the distance only to have Renjun push him back, "Shut up, werewolf, this doesn't concern you!"
Even Jisung and Chenle were openly glaring at each other.
"I won't let you do this to Jeno or Jisung-ah!" Haechan hissed.
Taeyong's hand came on Haechan's shoulder and pulled him back, "Let the Dreamies work this out between them. This is their fight."
Taeyong realized that this was something the Dreamies had to come to terms with. Neither WayV nor NCT could do it for them. And they had no right to interfere in such an internal matter. He glanced at Kun who only gave the merest of nods. So it seemed the vampire master thought the same.
Still Haechan tried to protest, "Hyung..."
At Taeyong's glare the young werewolf quieted. He couldn't help but to clench his fist his claws digging into his hands.
Since Haechan was no longer a problem, Renjun turned his glare to Jeno, "This isn't about you. This is about our Noona. For reasons unknown she panics with werewolves. We don't know what Exo did to her but right now our only concern should be trying to help her."
"And yet you are taking her from us!" snapped Jeno.
Jaemin ripped away from Jeno's hold, "We are not! If WayV can help her isn't that her fortune? This isn't a werewolf versus vampire issue. This is how best to help Noona. Wake up Jeno! You aren't this stupid! You're scared just the same as me, as all of us Dreamies. But this is probably exactly what would make that Exo happy if they could see what is happening right now."
Jeno's mouth worked but he said nothing.
Jaemin continued, "All we have to do is help Noona. When we do that everything can go back to normal. We'll be a packtribe again and go back to happy days. I'm not trying to take her away from you." Jaemin threw a gesture to the youngest and then to Jeno's pack, "Or Jisung-ah or even NCT. Surely you can understand that."
Tears pooled in Jeno's eyes but didn't fall, "I know that. I knew that before you said any of it. I just..." He dropped his gaze. He hated feeling like this. He just wanted you back!
Jaemin breathed and ran his hand through his hair, "I don't know how long this will take but we'll take care of her. When you see her again, she'll be our Noona from before. Can't you trust me with that? Trust us?"
Jeno looked up at Jaemin to the other vampires in WayV before looking back at Jaemin. Slowly he nodded before he pointed at Jaemin, "You have to take care of her, Jaemin. I'll pull your fangs out if you do anything less."
Jaemin nodded, "I will."
"And you have to tell us what's going on."
Another nod,"That goes without saying."
Jeno nodded then after searching Jaemin's eyes and took a step back. The room seemed to breathe again.
Taeyong's mouth couldn't help the quirk of a smile. It seems the young ones were maturing.
"We'll take care of her", Renjun repeated the promise.
Jisung stopped glaring at Chenle and spoke, "You're loud Hyung. When Noona is resting you can't give her a headache."
Chenle nodded, "I know."
"But you still have to take care of her. Quietly." Jisung reminded before whispering and placing his finger to his lips, "Quietly. Like this."
Chenle smiled through his tears, "I know."
Jisung nodded and dropped his head down and began to cry. Chenle threw his arms around him in lieu of crying his own self. "Don't cry Jisung-ah. Our Noona will return back to us someday. In the supernatural age, that wouldn't be long."
"It'll feel like eternity though."
"Ahh, such a baby!" Chenle goodnaturedly quipped.
"I will expect a report", Taeyong remarked coolly to Kun. For all intents and purposes it sounded friendly but it wasn't.
Kun nodded gravely, "Of course. No one is trying to take Y/N away from anyone but if this place is no longer safe for her we can do no other than remove her from the situation."
Taeyong glanced back at Taeil who had not turned around. Then he looked back at Kun and nodded, "We know. And...we are grateful that Y/N has such support."