Marked by My Omega Rival After Moving In (GL, ABO) - Chapter 26

Xiang Shuhuai realized something was wrong while she was in the car.

It had only been a short while since she parted ways with Cong You in the exhibition hall. She was driving back to the company to handle some matters, but the pain in the glands at the back of her neck was intensifying, and her body was sinking into a feverish haze.

Even though she had used a suppressant patch and injected the interfering agent early, the effects were still weak against this surge of heat.

Within moments, the car was filled with her pheromones, lingering in the air, wrapping around her, and her body was already beginning to weaken. She reached up to touch her forehead—it was burning.

…So hot.

Every sensation in her body seemed to be amplified, as though she was being swallowed by a whirlpool.

She gritted her teeth, trying to hold back any sounds.

Xiang Shuhuai was familiar with this feeling.

Because of how roughly she had damaged her glands before, her mating heat was rare, but whenever it did come, it was always intense, like a storm sweeping through her body. The aftermath was never less than agonizing, often leaving her with lingering trauma.

Maybe it was because she had spent too much time with Cong You, who was an alpha, during the day. Xiang Shuhuai still clung to a sliver of hope. Perhaps if she went back and injected another suppressant, it would be fine.

But, based on past experiences, she knew her mind would only hold out for five more minutes. After that, no matter how strong her will, she wouldn’t be able to control her pheromones.

For an omega trapped in heat, once the pheromones spread in a public place, there would be nothing but endless disaster.

Five minutes.

As long as there was a chance, Xiang Shuhuai wouldn’t allow herself to end up in a hospital. It was too important to her right now. She wouldn’t let anyone use her weakness against her—especially in this regard.

Five minutes.

She couldn’t go to the company, and it was already too late to return to any other residence; a hotel wouldn’t be safe, especially for an omega in heat. Anning could come to pick her up, but she would have to wait at least ten minutes in a public place.

There was only… Yu Xiaoxiao.

Her house wasn’t far from here, and the time was enough.

Looking at how Yu Xiaoxiao had quickly left earlier, it was probably because she was angry about how close Xiang Shuhuai had been with Cong You. She would likely go out with friends and spend the night outside.

Maybe, after a night, Xiang Shuhuai would feel better. Once the symptoms were less intense, Anning could come and take her somewhere else to recover. Even if more extreme measures were necessary—like what happened back in college.

With that thought, Xiang Shuhuai made her decision.

By the time she reached the room that once belonged to her, her consciousness was already fading. She hastily locked the door, found her small medicine kit, and shakily gave herself an injection.

It didn’t help at all.

Xiang Shuhuai’s vision was blurred, and the intense pain and primal longing overwhelmed her senses. Even walking the few steps from her desk to the bed, she stumbled and fell, only managing to crawl onto the bed.

The heightened sensitivity in her body was fading, and she curled up on the bed, trembling, her eyes shut tight. She didn’t even realize she had scraped her knee on the floor, leaving a small patch of bl00d on the bed.

So sweet.

She faintly smelled the sweet scent of baked bread and cream, soft and warm like a sun-drenched blanket. It was Yu Xiaoxiao’s scent. So warm.

…Because she was in Yu Xiaoxiao’s house.

It was at that moment that Xiang Shuhuai finally felt guilty.

After their conversation, any relationship—if there had ever been one—between her and Yu Xiaoxiao should have ended. She had no reason to stay in Yu Xiaoxiao’s house.

But now, in trouble, she had taken advantage of the situation, entering Yu Xiaoxiao’s home without permission, even though Yu Xiaoxiao hadn’t taken back her key.

With that thought, Xiang Shuhuai instinctively buried her face in the soft, warm blanket that smelled so comforting, trying to draw some solace from it in her pain.

So hot…

Sweat soaked the blanket beneath her. Xiang Shuhuai struggled to curl up, trapped in her yearning and suffering, her lips bitten until they bled.

Her consciousness was fading, and at times she thought she was dead, only to be pulled back into the agonizing reality by the surge of heat.

Time passed.

Xiang Shuhuai had no idea how long she had been in this delirious and painful state, when suddenly a sense of danger pierced through her mind.

—It was an alpha in heat!

She recognized that scent.

And a strange sense of threat.

Instinctively, Xiang Shuhuai sat up, gripping the knife in her pocket. She slowly processed, recognizing the pheromone scent as…

…Yu Xiaoxiao?

No. Xiang Shuhuai instinctively wanted to deny it. Yu Xiaoxiao hadn’t undergone her first heat yet. Even if she came back now, she…

In the blink of an eye, Xiang Shuhuai realized her mistake.

“She hasn’t gone into heat yet.”

That meant Yu Xiaoxiao could go into heat at any time. And perhaps it was the overwhelming pheromones from Xiang Shuhuai’s heat that triggered Yu Xiaoxiao’s own heat symptoms.

—This was completely her fault.

Xiang Shuhuai loosened her grip on the knife, her fear growing.

She had no reason to harm Yu Xiaoxiao because of her own mistake.

But if Yu Xiaoxiao, trapped in her own heat, lost control of her senses and instinctively tried to mark her—

The familiar yet strange pheromones grew more intense and oppressive, inching closer and choking Xiang Shuhuai’s throat. She shuddered instinctively, overcome by the suppressive urge.

She couldn’t breathe.

This meant the alpha’s instincts had been fully awakened.

…What should she do?

Under the pressure of the alpha’s pheromones, Xiang Shuhuai’s fingers shook as she sent a distress signal to her assistant.

The sensation of suffocation grew stronger, and Xiang Shuhuai’s hands trembled so much she almost couldn’t hold her phone.

This… What was happening between an omega in heat and a frenzied, out-of-control alpha was nothing like the normal, loving bonds people formed. It was violence, pure instinct.

…She might really die because of this.

Footsteps approached the door to the guest bedroom.

No.

A nightmare buried deep in her memory resurfaced, and Xiang Shuhuai felt a chill run down her spine. She felt disgusted.

She remembered that day. The smell of bl00d rushed to her nose and mouth, spreading through her senses. She wanted to reach for that pathetic little knife.

Please.

The footsteps grew louder. It seemed Yu Xiaoxiao was coming closer.

No, Yu Xiaoxiao.

She had never been able to subdue Yu Xiaoxiao without hurting her, especially not when Yu Xiaoxiao was an alpha in heat, having lost all rationality. There was no time to act.

Xiang Shuhuai’s mind was a mess. All her desires and fears screamed at her.

Maybe her survival instinct would take over, and she would clutch the knife, destroying everything she had once relied on and hoped for, all the kindness and innocence…

Or maybe, with the last bit of goodness in her heart, she would close her eyes and let it all happen, letting herself be torn apart.

Xiang Shuhuai didn’t know what she would choose, until that moment truly arrived.

“Don’t come in… please.”

Xiang Shuhuai bit her lip, holding back all the sounds, curling up tightly, trying to deceive herself by covering her neck with her fingers, hoping to hide her presence completely. Maybe, maybe Yu Xiaoxiao wouldn’t notice her—

…Save me.

Then she heard a voice, trembling with tears.

“Xiang Shuhuai?”

It was Yu Xiaoxiao.

“Xiang… Xiang Shuhuai—”

…She was really crying.

“What should I do… I… I’m so scared, Xiang Shuhuai—”

Through the door, Yu Xiaoxiao’s voice trembled, wet with tears as if they were about to spill, “Ugh… what should I do…”

“No, it’s fine… It’s okay,” Xiang Shuhuai comforted her. “It’ll be fine. I’ve called An Ning to come. She’ll bring the blocking agent to you—everything will be okay soon.”

“Will it…? Ugh… Will it?”

The child on the other side of the door seemed to gradually calm down but was still quietly crying, tears falling. Xiang Shuhuai thought that if they were face-to-face, she’d probably be able to see the child’s round, bright brown eyes filled with tears, likely shimmering like amber in the light.

“Of course,” Xiang Shuhuai said. “If you go outside now, it will cause panic. You should stay in your room for a while.”

“But I…” The voice sounded pitiful, like a little puppy drenched in a downpour, making Xiang Shuhuai smile despite herself. “I want to hear your voice…”

“We can talk on the phone,” Xiang Shuhuai suggested.

“…Okay.” Yu Xiaoxiao sniffled in response.

The noise outside the door quickly disappeared, and the tension in Xiang Shuhuai’s body suddenly eased.

She collapsed onto the bed, almost despairingly realizing—because of the alpha’s pheromones, her heat was only growing stronger and more overwhelming, nearly taking away all her consciousness. But she didn’t even have the strength to fight it; just controlling her desires had drained all her energy.

She suddenly found herself missing the voice she had just heard.

That voice—so innocent and pure, so sincere, scared because of her own desires, as if it belonged to another world entirely.

She could talk about anything, even silly things, or tell stories about her and her childhood friend, Youyou Jie, and their secret crush. Anything.

As long as it could temporarily pull her out of this overwhelming pain…

Xiang Shuhuai clutched the bedsheet tightly, pushing that selfish thought aside.

…When will An Ning arrive?

These thoughts drifted through her mind, hazy, and before long, she received a call from Yu Xiaoxiao.

As soon as she picked up, she was greeted by a pitiful, tearful voice.

“Ugh, Xiang Shuhuai…”

She could almost picture the alpha girl, lost in her heat, curled up by the bed, her eyes and nose red from crying.

The distance between them was too close, and the voice on the phone was somewhat muffled.

After a while, not hearing any response from this side, Yu Xiaoxiao sniffled and, sounding a bit dissatisfied, called out, “Xiang Shuhuai—”

Her voice sounded like she was drunk, or perhaps mumbling in her sleep, a little petulant, yet with a crying tone of grievance. It made one think of a small puppy with round, bright eyes, looking up with a sad expression.

Anyone who heard it would think that it was Xiang Shuhuai being unreasonable and bullying the other person.

Xiang Shuhuai chuckled softly. She was too weak to laugh properly, and her voice sounded a little hoarse.

“Mm,” she said. “I’m here.”

“Xiang Shuhuai.” The voice on the other end was still displeased, still pitiful. “…Why aren’t you talking to me?”

…What was this, a primary school friendship complaint?

So, the heat made alphas this childish? Or was Yu Xiaoxiao just naturally this childish?

Xiang Shuhuai helplessly reassured the child, “I’m not ignoring you.”

“You are!” The voice on the other end suddenly raised its volume, sounding very righteous. “You are! You’re ignoring me!”

So, Xiang Shuhuai deliberately asked, “How am I ignoring you?”

There was a long pause on the other end.

“You… Ugh, you…” Yu Xiaoxiao seemed to have trouble finding the words. Eventually, she said, “You’re just… You’re ignoring me and avoiding me, and you won’t even talk to me…”

She went on and on, growing more and more aggrieved, completely unaware that Xiang Shuhuai was teasing her. She had forgotten about her tears and was now earnestly listing Xiang Shuhuai’s faults—from moving into her house to their falling out yesterday. She was whining and complaining like a little puppy who had been wronged.

Xiang Shuhuai had no intention of laughing, but the little one on the phone sounded too amusing. She quietly moved the phone a bit farther away and couldn’t help but let out a quiet laugh.

Her soft laugh seemed to reach Yu Xiaoxiao on the other end of the line. But to Xiang Shuhuai’s surprise, Yu Xiaoxiao didn’t raise her voice to accuse her. Instead, she suddenly stopped and asked seriously:

“Did you laugh, Xiang Shuhuai?”

The voice, so focused and affected by the fever, now sounded unfamiliar yet pure and sincere. It pierced right into Xiang Shuhuai’s ear, like a clear, flowing stream.

Hearing that, Xiang Shuhuai’s heart skipped a beat, an odd sensation that she couldn’t explain.

How strange.

Xiang Shuhuai pushed the strange feeling aside, attributing it to the heat affecting her.

“…I,” she stammered, struggling to answer. After a brief pause to compose herself, she continued, “What?”

“You laughed, didn’t you?” Yu Xiaoxiao repeated seriously, her tone still a bit like she was drunk, “Because you sounded like you weren’t feeling too well… Xiang Shuhuai, do you feel a bit better now?”

…Did she sound that bad?

Xiang Shuhuai thought she was sounding perfectly fine.

Amid the repeated waves of heat, she had even briefly entertained the thought that, in her current state, she could probably still attend an online meeting without showing her face, making some unimportant decisions.

Her voice had been calm, her responses no different than usual. She was the one comforting and guiding, while Yu Xiaoxiao was the one who was frightened, the little one sobbing on the other end.

But Yu Xiaoxiao had asked, “Do you feel better now?”

…Her intuition was so strangely accurate, and yet so honest, it was almost chilling.

“I…”

Xiang Shuhuai suddenly found herself at a loss for words.

It would be easiest to just say “I’m fine,” even though she was anything but. Weakening in front of Yu Xiaoxiao—or anyone else—wouldn’t benefit her. She didn’t need anyone’s sympathy. Besides, Yu Xiaoxiao couldn’t see her now, so it didn’t matter what she said.

But still…

“…I…” she finally said, “I… don’t feel great.”

She didn’t feel good.

Her body was so hot that she didn’t have the strength to sit up. She could only curl up in the bed, shivering. Her glands were throbbing with sharp pain, every wave of it piercing through her body, almost sweeping her away.

Her mind was in a daze, but the heat filled her head, gripping her tightly. She couldn’t even faint from it. It felt as if she had been enduring this torment for an eternity, though only a few hours had passed. The suffering would last at least a week, maybe longer.

Only when talking to the other person did she feel a little better. That made Xiang Shuhuai realize that, at least she wasn’t living in hell—there was still some small relief.

She felt truly awful.

But she could never say those words. Four simple words were the limit for her.

“Ah…” Yu Xiaoxiao’s voice sounded deeply upset. “I—Is there anything I can do?”

The moment the words left her mouth, Xiang Shuhuai immediately regretted them. The guilt in Yu Xiaoxiao’s voice made that regret even stronger.

What was she doing?

“It’s fine. I’m already feeling a bit better,” Xiang Shuhuai quickly said. “Yu Xiaoxiao, how are you feeling now?”

Probably because of the heat, the response from the other end was delayed, taking a while to come through.

“…I…”

Her voice sounded a little wet. Not good.

“Ugh—”

…As expected, she was crying again.

“I’m scared,” the little one cried. “The thoughts, they won’t stop… it’s so scary. What if, what if I—Xiang Shuhuai, ugh, I don’t want to hurt you…”

She had just been comforted, and now she was crying again.

She really had a lot of tears.

Xiang Shuhuai suddenly remembered. When Yu Xiaoxiao woke up tomorrow, her eyes would probably be swollen.

“You won’t hurt me,” she reassured her. “You won’t.”

“…Really?”

“Of course,” Xiang Shuhuai said. “I’ve been trained. I won’t let you hurt me.”

“But…” The crying child on the other end said, “But you’re so thin, and you have no strength…”

…And now, even in the middle of all this, she still remembered that Xiang Shuhuai had no strength?

Xiang Shuhuai almost laughed in frustration. “I’ve been trained!”

She wasn’t sure if it was because she had frightened her, or if she had finally believed her, but on the other end, there was a long hesitation before a soft, aggrieved “oh…” came through.

It sounded as pitiful as a puppy, as if its fluffy ears were drooping. As soon as Xiang Shuhuai heard that, she couldn’t help but chuckle.

This time, she couldn’t hold it in and let out a soft laugh.

Yu Xiaoxiao immediately forgot about being aggrieved and pouted, “What are you laughing at?”

The heat of the bond.

Yu Xiaoxiao had never known it could be so terrifying. Her entire body was burning, her stomach cramped with spasms, sharp pain erupting throughout her body, as though hot magma was violently crashing inside her, trying to find an escape—everything boiled down to a terrifying and brutal impulse.

That primal, savage instinct screamed—

Mark her.

Mark the disobedient omega who dared lock herself away, hiding from her alpha.

The desire to destroy and possess raged in her mind, howling for violent control. Control her, own her, break her, destroy that rebellious omega, and mark her so that she completely belonged to you.

—I don’t want to.

Yu Xiaoxiao clutched her head tightly, gritting her teeth and trembling, her mouth filled with the taste of bl00d. She told herself, I don’t want to. I won’t hurt anyone. I won’t hurt Xiang Shuhuai.

She didn’t realize how difficult and painful it would be to resist her own instincts. But the omega’s pheromones were so sweet, so cold, and they were the only thing that could soothe all her pain.

Yu Xiaoxiao was terrified, so terrified that tears kept streaming down her face. She was afraid she would lose control, that her instincts would take over her body, and that when she regained her senses, all she would see would be the aftermath of violence. She didn’t want that.

…But Xiang Shuhuai was the omega who had been threatened. She must be even more afraid than Yu Xiaoxiao.

But Xiang Shuhuai said this to her.

“It’s okay, it’s alright, we’ll be fine.”

Her voice was calm, so cold, like glass, just like it always had been, making Yu Xiaoxiao want to believe her. It felt like everything really would be okay.

After returning to the bedroom, as time passed, Yu Xiaoxiao began to numb out.

The howling, beastly instincts slowly faded into a sharp buzzing sound in her ears, ringing through her skull, and the fever made her head dizzy.

Her entire body felt light, as if she were trapped in a hot, soft swamp, unable to move or think. Fortunately, the sounds were growing quieter, and Yu Xiaoxiao finally stopped fearing she might hurt anyone.

She curled up in bed, listening to Xiang Shuhuai’s voice on the other end of the call.

Whatever Xiang Shuhuai was saying, she was softly laughing in response to Yu Xiaoxiao’s complaints, and then quickly assured her she hadn’t laughed.

“I didn’t laugh, Yu Xiaoxiao,” she said, “Really.”

“I don’t believe you.” Yu Xiaoxiao thought. This Big Ice Block, this annoying person, always lying to her.

She muttered, “You did laugh…”

Xiang Shuhuai laughed again.

Her voice, so low, calm, and clear, always made Yu Xiaoxiao think of her deep, beautiful black eyes. Like the moon, serene and transparent.

In the hazy daze of fever, Xiang Shuhuai’s voice was like the cool moonlight that soothed her, just like her pheromones—cold and calm…

…Why?

Amid her sluggish thoughts, a hazy question suddenly drifted through her mind.

Why does she talk to me like she’s speaking to a child? Why does she try to coax me like that?

I’m a bit older than her, after all…

The thought drifted through her fevered mind, and in the midst of her agony, Yu Xiaoxiao mumbled, responding to her words.

She kept talking, and in that moon-like voice, she slowly fell asleep.

On the other end of the call, the voice grew softer and quieter, until it became a steady, gentle breathing sound.

“Yu Xiaoxiao?” Xiang Shuhuai’s voice softened, trying to call out, “…Xiaoxiao?”

There was no reply. The child on the other end had already fallen asleep from exhaustion.

To think she could fall asleep while talking. Xiang Shuhuai thought helplessly. Is she really just a child?

However, after chatting aimlessly for so long, her own body, exhausted by the heat period, was beginning to feel sleepy as well.

…Rest would probably come in about half an hour, bringing the blocking agents with it, and then Yu Xiaoxiao would be taken to the hospital. All she had to do was listen for the knocking at the door and go open it when the time came.

There was nothing to worry about.

The sweet, creamy, non-aggressive scent of lightly baked butter also made Xiang Shuhuai feel sleepier.

Listening to the steady, soothing breathing from the other end, she closed her eyes and slowly fell asleep.

In her dream, Xiang Shuhuai groggily felt her body heating up, the oxygen in her lungs becoming thinner, making her want to breathe deeply.

She frowned, rolled over, but didn’t wake up.

The air was thick with the rich, sweet scent.

It was as if she were soaked in dense, creamy butter, the sweet scent seeping into her body, making her reaction slow down.

So hot…

The sound of knocking woke her, and Xiang Shuhuai blinked, staring for a moment before realizing her current situation.

Her heart sank.

…This is bad.

It was the pheromones, so intense, spreading explosively from the bedroom, almost materializing and filling the entire house, coming from an alpha deep in the heat.

The pheromones didn’t have the same aggressive, oppressive force as before—but their owner was clearly in a very unstable condition and needed medical intervention.

No, maybe it’s even worse…

“Yu Xiaoxiao?” she tried calling out, “—Can you hear me, Yu Xiaoxiao?”

There was no response.

Even with the phone volume turned up to the max, she could only hear sharp, pained gasps, occasionally catching a few broken syllables, but the words weren’t clear. The girl must be in so much discomfort.

But right now, Xiang Shuhuai couldn’t go to check on her condition—

She had become so absorbed in worry that she forgot to open the door. It wasn’t until the knocking outside, filled with concern, sounded again that Xiang Shuhuai suddenly snapped to attention, forcing herself to get up and stumble to the door.

Outside, Yi Anning looked anxious, her brows furrowed, her body tense. She wasn’t wearing glasses, gripping the heavy strap of her bag, the other hand holding her phone, ready to call the police, looking as if she was prepared to fight off a crazed alpha.

Seeing Xiang Shuhuai standing there in one piece seemed to ease her burden, but her face still wore a deep frown. “Boss—”

“I’m fine.” Xiang Shuhuai stepped aside to let her in. “Anning, help me check on her condition. In the bedroom.”

…She didn’t feel good about this.

Once she left the protection of the thin, pathetic bedroom door, the scent of alpha pheromones in the living room was overwhelmingly strong, invasive and domineering.

Just standing there, speaking a few words, was almost enough to drain Xiang Shuhuai’s last bit of strength. She was about to collapse.

Fortunately, betas couldn’t smell pheromones, so they were unaware of her predicament. Xiang Shuhuai managed to maintain her composure. Before passing out from exhaustion, she controlled herself, step by step, to sit on the couch.

Yi Anning looked at her with concern but nodded. “—Okay.”

Her reliable assistant entered the bedroom to check on the alpha girl’s condition. Xiang Shuhuai, dizzy and exhausted, curled up on the couch, waiting, feeling her body heat rise, almost falling asleep for a short while.

“Boss.” She vaguely heard the voice. “Boss? Shuhuai… are you okay?”

Xiang Shuhuai forced herself to open her eyes and snap back to awareness.

“Mm.” She lifted her eyes. “How is she?”

“Yu… Madam’s condition isn’t great.” Yi Anning replied. As a beta, she couldn’t judge Yu Xiaoxiao’s condition from her pheromones, but she described the other symptoms, “Her temperature is extremely high, her breathing is rapid, and her pupils are dilated.”

Xiang Shuhuai asked, “Does she respond to calls?”

“Not yet.” Yi Anning shook her head, worried. “Boss, should we call an ambulance?”

“…I’ll go check on her.”

Yi Anning instinctively wanted to stop her but opened her mouth and couldn’t say anything. She just nodded silently and followed her, making sure she didn’t have to face the unstable alpha alone.

When they opened the bedroom door, the rich buttery scent hit them, sweet to the bone. Xiang Shuhuai forced herself to walk to the bedside and gently sat down.

The flushed alpha girl was curled up in a corner of the bed, unconscious, trembling, her breathing fast, and her fingers gripping the bed’s edge so tightly that they were turning white. She didn’t react to their presence.

If one looked closely, they would notice her lips were moving, occasionally letting out fragmented syllables, but they couldn’t be understood clearly.

…Yu Xiaoxiao’s condition was just as Xiang Shuhuai had suspected. High fever, unconsciousness, and over-released pheromones leading to nerve excitement. It was the most intense phase of alpha heat.

Xiang Shuhuai had become somewhat of an expert with experience. She knew that, with Yu Xiaoxiao in this state, even if they went to the hospital, the only solution would be to forcefully stop the gland’s control over the pheromones with medication, interrupting the heat.

But that would cause significant damage to Yu Xiaoxiao’s body.

Such a treatment would at least cause several cycles of hormone imbalance, and the glands would become disordered—especially since Yu Xiaoxiao had just undergone her differentiation and was now suddenly facing the abrupt onset of pairing heat. Her body hadn’t even stabilized, making the situation even more complicated.

…She had no reason to let Yu Xiaoxiao pay such a heavy price for her mistake.

Aside from this, there was only one way left.

She would have to… mark an omega.

A temporary marking would suffice, as long as it could satisfy the alpha’s instincts and alleviate the symptoms of pairing heat.

That would be enough.

“…Anning,” she finally decided, “you can leave now.”

Anning blurted out, “Boss—”

Xiang Shuhuai shook her head and comforted her, “It’s fine. I will handle it.”

Anning looked at her disapprovingly, as though she wanted to say something to stop her, but in the end, she just obediently accepted the decision.

“Alright,” she said, “I’ll go.”

She closed the door behind her, and the lock clicked softly as it shut.

…Once the lock fell, there were only the two of them left in the bedroom.

The sweet smell of baked bread and cream mixed with her own scent.

Xiang Shuhuai had already made up her mind, but she was still tense, staring at the curled-up Yu Xiaoxiao in the corner of the bed for a long time, almost frozen in place, unable to move.

…it was just a solution to the problem, she told herself. Nothing to worry about.

Yu Xiaoxiao wasn’t even conscious.

This was just… a temporary mark, physiologically speaking, but it didn’t really mean anything. Perhaps… perhaps as long as it hurt for a moment, like a shot, it would be fine soon after.

After preparing herself mentally, Xiang Shuhuai climbed onto the bed, kneeling beside the alpha girl, clumsily and awkwardly trying to release some pheromones.

The alpha, still in a deep sleep, seemed to instinctively react to the scent, moving slightly, letting out soft gasps.

Under the influence of the omega’s pheromones, sweat beaded on her forehead, and the hand gripping the edge of the bed tightened and then relaxed. Xiang Shuhuai knew then that she hadn’t made a mistake.

…This was it.

She leaned forward, guiding Yu Xiaoxiao to sit up.

“Yu Xiaoxiao,” she tried calling, “It’s okay… it’ll be over soon. It’s fine. Let’s sit up for now—”

The sleepy girl obeyed, as if drunk, her body soft and limp, instinctively leaning toward Xiang Shuhuai. Her nose rubbed against Xiang Shuhuai’s neck, searching for the scent that would comfort her.

Her movements were somewhat clumsy yet gentle enough, her arms around Xiang Shuhuai’s waist, holding her in what seemed like an embrace. Both their body temperatures were so high—the warmth of the position almost made Xiang Shuhuai feel afraid.

She closed her eyes and pushed away the excess emotions swelling in her chest.

She thought… it wouldn’t matter if she just bit the back of her neck without undressing, right?

So, Xiang Shuhuai extended her hand, brushing aside the hair at the back of Yu Xiaoxiao’s neck, exposing her own neck completely.

Her body trembled physiologically.

“…Yu Xiaoxiao,” Xiang Shuhuai whispered, “Mark me.”

The alpha’s hot breath brushed past her neck, and Xiang Shuhuai trembled even more, desperately suppressing her own instincts, telling herself not to be afraid, not to care.

…And at that moment, Xiang Shuhuai suddenly thought, if it were her father, Xiang Hongshan, he would definitely be instructing his subordinates right now, “Find her an omega.”

In his eyes, an omega was just a tool, nothing special, no exceptions.

But then, she heard the girl’s voice in resistance.

“I… I can’t…”

“Yu Xiaoxiao?”

“I… Wuwu, I don’t…”

This time, she finally heard clearly the words Yu Xiaoxiao had been murmuring while unconscious.

The girl’s voice was low, broken by gasps, full of resistance and restraint: “No… I can’t…”

…She didn’t want to hurt anyone. She resisted the violent instincts with everything she had, even in her unconscious state, still protecting others. Despite having become an alpha, Yu Xiaoxiao was still such a good person.

Xiang Shuhuai suddenly felt a pang of sadness.

She thought, if Xiang Hongshan had been someone like Yu Xiaoxiao, none of this would have happened. All of it—the so-called family jungle, the cruel, beastly people, and the disasters—would have never happened. Xiang Shuhuai might not even have been born into this world.

…but she had been born, and she was still alive now, grown into another version of Xiang Hongshan. Cold-blooded, selfish, domineering, insane.

Now, she had to erase Yu Xiaoxiao’s resistance to her instincts and make her mark her.

“…It’s fine.” Xiang Shuhuai softly said while releasing her pheromones, not sure who she was speaking to, “It’s okay, Yu Xiaoxiao, you can mark me… it’ll be over soon. It’s nothing.”

She heard Yu Xiaoxiao’s broken murmurs, tinged with a sob.

“Wuwu, Xiang Shuhuai…”

…Don’t wake up.

That’s enough, Xiang Shuhuai told herself.

“Yu Xiaoxiao.”

She felt the alpha’s hand—hot, yet strong—resting on her shoulder, so warm that it made Xiang Shuhuai want to run away.

The soft, warm heat brushed against the back of her neck—it was Yu Xiaoxiao’s soft lips. Their pheromones intertwined, the sweetness almost making her want to fall into it.

This was nothing, Xiang Shuhuai thought. Just a temporary mark.

But she couldn’t stop trembling.

…So hot.

Xiang Shuhuai said, “Mark me.”