Empire of Desire: An Alpha’s Financial Reign - Chapter 23

The hotel receptionist kept her professional composure, but her heart fluttered with excitement the moment the couple approached the counter. Among all the pairs who had booked a room there, this one was easily the most stunning.

The alpha exuded a quiet, magnetic charm that was impossible to ignore, while the omega was dazzling, practically glowing even in her slightly inebriated state. Though the receptionist maintained a calm demeanor as she completed the check-in process, her thoughts were swirling. This night is going to be unforgettable for someone.

Once inside the room, Han Zaijing, slightly tipsy, collapsed onto the couch to gather her senses. The dim lighting and subtle fragrance of the room soothed her, but a flicker of heat still lingered in her veins—part alcohol, part something stronger.

Jiang Nuan had already disappeared into the bathroom to shower. The sound of running water echoed softly in the background, mingling with the hum of the city beyond the window. The night felt charged, like static before a storm.

Later, after his own shower, Han Zaijing emerged in a loosely tied bathrobe, droplets of water still clinging to her collarbone. Across the room, Jiang Nuan stood by the vanity, running her fingers through her damp hair. She had just finished blow-drying it, and the soft waves framed her face perfectly.

The aphrodisiac was beginning to take full effect. Han Zaijing’s eyes reddened slightly at the corners, and her breathing grew heavier. Her body ached—not in pain, but in yearning. Drawn by instinct, she moved toward Jiang Nuan and slipped her arms around her waist from behind, resting her cheek against her shoulder.

Jiang Nuan, wrapped in her own bathrobe, had been feeling the effects of the alcohol as well. The heat in the room was thick, heady. She was startled at first by the sudden embrace, but the warmth behind her was comforting. The weight of Han Zaijing’s body, the way her fingertips brushed lightly over her stomach—it made her dizzy.

She turned her head slightly and caught a glimpse of her in the mirror. Her eyes were hazy, and her expression vulnerable in a way she hadn’t expected. There was something puppy-like about her in that moment—earnest, needy, a little lost. It tugged at her heart.

She looked up at her with those large, glistening eyes, her lips parted as if to say something but then thinking better of it. She leaned in closer, her voice low and smoky as she whispered near her ear.
“You don’t have to hold back. The soundproofing’s good here.”

Jiang Nuan laughed breathlessly, biting her lower lip as her cheeks flushed. “You really are a bad one,” she muttered before wrapping her arms around her neck, pulling her down with her onto the bed.

What followed was a tangled night of heat and hunger. The chemistry between them wasn’t just physical—it felt like a battle of wills and desire. They teased, tested, and surrendered to each other in waves. Han Zaijing played with strands of Jiang Nuan’s hair between her fingers as if memorizing every detail of her.

By the time dawn crept in, the room had fallen quiet. The storm had passed, and only soft breathing remained.

Jiang Nuan woke up first. The sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting golden shadows across the bed. She turned and looked at the sleeping figure beside her.

Han Zaijing, in repose, seemed far removed from the suave, teasing man of the night before. In sleep, she looked boyish, peaceful. The edges of her sharp features had softened, making her appear almost innocent.

Jiang Nuan didn’t disturb her. She slipped out of bed and began dressing quietly. There was a strange flutter in her chest—a mix of amusement and awkwardness. Did I just sleep with her first… and leave her behind like some heartbreaker? She chuckled silently at the irony.

After getting dressed, she scribbled a note with her contact details and left it on the nightstand. Let’s talk later. Text me. A more casual, less embarrassing way to continue—or end—things. She wasn’t sure which yet.

Back home, Jiang Nuan slipped through the door quietly, hoping to avoid attention. But her older sister Jiang Wan was already up, sipping coffee and reading on the sofa. She raised an eyebrow the moment she saw her.

“Well, someone didn’t come home last night,” Jiang Wan said, voice teasing. “Which alpha was lucky enough to keep you out until morning?”

Jiang Nuan let out a dramatic sigh and flopped onto the sofa, throwing her arms around her sister. “Oh, don’t be mean, sis~ I missed you so much. Take me to class later, please?”

Jiang Wan gave her an unimpressed look. “Don’t try to change the subject. You’ve been partying too often lately.”

Jiang Nuan groaned. “Ugh, you’re starting to sound like Mom. Seriously.”

Jiang Wan didn’t flinch. She reached over and tugged lightly on her sister’s ear. “I’m serious. Be careful, and take care of yourself. Understand?”

“Yes, yes,” Jiang Nuan replied with a smile. “Big sister loves me the most, I know.” But even as she said it, she made a mental note not to mention Han Zaijing for now. Her sister would nag her to death if she knew what had happened.

She hadn’t stayed to see Han Zaijing wake up. Part of her wondered if she would be angry—or amused. Maybe even embarrassed. Still, she’d done the decent thing and left her contact info.

Back at the hotel, Han Zaijing stirred in bed and found the note. She read it once, then again, and laughed softly to herself.

So, this hunter just took her prize and walked away? Figures. She smiled ruefully. She’s a scoundrel.

But Han Zaijing wasn’t one to let things go easily. Determined to stay in control of the narrative, she went to a clinic later that morning to test for recent pheromone fluctuations. It was time to document the aphrodisiac’s impact—because if things progressed, she wanted to have the facts on her side.

Later that day, she added Jiang Nuan on WeChat and sent her a photo of the official report on aphrodisiac exposure.

Let’s see what kind of hunter you really are, she thought, watching her phone screen for a reply.