Marked by My Scummy Ex-Wife’s Boss (GL) - Chapter 26
It was actually quite normal—but with everything going on lately, Song Zhen had completely forgotten about it.
An Omega marked immediately after differentiation would have a longer susceptibility period.
During this phase, their pheromones would leak uncontrollably. At first, it bothered Song Zhen, but after Zhu Sui began providing temporary marks…
And especially after their marriage, those marks became easier to come by.
Often, when Song Zhen struggled with insomnia, Zhu Sui would suddenly bite her gland, the cool scent of pheromones helping lull her to sleep. She had grown used to it.
Apparently, the susceptibility period had ended sometime after the experimental program was shut down. As for the exact day, Song Zhen had no memory.
She vaguely recalled Zhu Sui mentioning it once, but her mind at the time was entirely preoccupied with the project—she hadn’t even considered the onset of the first heat cycle following differentiation.
Both Alphas and Omegas experienced heats, but Alpha heats were mild—easily manageable with a bit of attention, passing almost like the susceptibility phase.
Omega heats, however, were another matter entirely.
Still, unlike animals, humans had evolved far beyond being ruled by such instincts, even within ABO dynamics.
Most Omegas simply took leave and stayed home during heat—not only because their pheromones were hard to suppress, but because while Alphas could wear suppression rings, Omegas were different. With the birth rate in steep decline, unmarried Omegas often refused to wear suppression rings, fearing it might harm their fertility.
It might sound superstitious, but Song Zhen didn’t find it unreasonable.
Most importantly—the body remained in a constant low-grade fever during heat, and…
Especially for a previously marked Omega, the physical craving for their Alpha intensified.
Thankfully, heat only lasted three days. Most AOs experienced it once a year; a rare few, twice at most.
With a temporary mark in place, Zhu Sui assured her that she’d never mistake the scent of Song Zhen’s pheromones.
When Song Zhen finally realized what was happening, her mind went blank. Every card played afterward was guided by Zhu Sui, who held her hand as they played. To outsiders, the gesture looked undeniably intimate—but in truth, Song Zhen was lost in a haze.
“Hey, we won.” Zhu Sui’s lips curved into a smile.
The lilt in her voice made the victory sound light, effortless.
Across the table, the three Omegas looked thoroughly defeated. Once again, they had lost to Zhu Sui.
They could accept losing when Zhu Sui played alone—but this time, she was just “coaching” and still won? Was there some kind of trick to it?
Weren’t they all on equal footing intellectually? No one here was a Beta, after all. Zhu Sui’s cheerful grin was just infuriating.
She placed a hand on Song Zhen’s shoulder, smiling with that annoying confidence. “Let’s call it even for the previous losses. Can we let Ms. Song bow out now?”
The others hadn’t spoken yet when Zhu Sui added, “Or… would you prefer I coach her through a few more rounds?”
Prefer? Of course not!
Having finally recouped some money from Zhu Sui, the group hastily insisted they quit while ahead, urging the couple to leave quickly.
No one wanted to suffer another string of humiliating losses at Zhu Sui’s hands.
Especially when, in that final round, Zhu Sui barely played any cards herself—Song Zhen had done most of the work, and they still won?
Absolutely outrageous.
Demon, get out of here already!
Zhu Sui took Song Zhen by the wrist, half-embracing her as she gently pulled her from the seat.
Despite having struggled to leave earlier, Song Zhen was easily led away by Zhu Sui this time. The others didn’t even try to stop them—it was as if everyone silently agreed she should go.
Once they were outside, Zhu Sui noticed something off about Song Zhen and hesitated. “Jiejie?”
Song Zhen snapped out of it.
Zhu Sui, almost like she could read minds, spoke a few more words—and then understood.
Understanding, she chuckled lightly. “It’s nothing serious. Post-differentiation heats are short. They’re different from the usual ones.”
Seeing Song Zhen’s dazed expression, she asked, “You didn’t know?”
“I… was I supposed to?” Song Zhen looked lost. This was too detailed—she studied Omega pregnancy, not the everyday realities of AO life!
Zhu Sui laughed under her breath and explained, “Your gland changes after differentiation. The susceptibility phase was the transition. This heat cycle is another part of it. Once it’s over, your body will officially be that of a mature Omega.”
“Plus, because you went through such a long susceptibility period, this first heat is actually considered the easiest one to get through.”
Delayed realization made Song Zhen reach for her phone.
She pulled up an article from the most reputable hospital—and sure enough, though couched in medical jargon, it basically said exactly what Zhu Sui had.
“So, there’s no need to panic. It’ll just be a little uncomfortable.”
After a beat, she leaned close to Song Zhen’s ear and breathed, “That night you first differentiated—that’s how the worst day of heat feels.”
“But now that it’s started, you should stay home the next few days.”
She added softly, “For now… let’s find a guest room. I’ll take care of it for you.”
This villa belonged to Zhu Yi’s family. Zhu Sui had been here a few times and knew her way around. Guiding Song Zhen through a few turns, she quickly found an empty guest room—conveniently far from where people were gathered.
The ventilation switch was hidden, but Zhu Sui located and flipped it. Then she shut the windows and drew the curtains to make sure no one could see inside.
Dusting off her hands, she said cheerfully, “Okay. Time for a temporary mark.”
But things didn’t go as planned.
Despite the mark, Song Zhen’s pheromones continued to leak. Her body grew warmer, the scent—faintly citrus—wafting from more than just her gland.
It was subtle, but as an S-class Omega, even a trace was enough to drive low-ranking Alphas mad.
Yes, pheromones spread across the entire body—but only the gland held enough concentration to extract. For it to leak through the skin like this… it only happened during heat.
“What do we do now? How are we supposed to leave?” Song Zhen touched her neck after the temporary mark, but the relief was minimal.
Zhu Sui’s eyes darkened. “Could it be… you’ve been exposed to my pheromones too often lately?”
The more frequently an Omega exchanged pheromones with their Alpha, the stronger the body’s response during heat.
Song Zhen was already sweating. “I have to leave now. If I don’t…”
Zhu Sui understood. If her scent intensified, there’d be no hiding it—not from the guests, not from the Rong family.
And Song Zhen didn’t want that.
Neither did Zhu Sui. She liked having Song Zhen all to herself.
It was a primal, hidden pleasure rooted in Alpha instinct.
Of course, only because Song Zhen wanted to keep it secret. If she wanted to make it public, Zhu Sui would support her.
Because no matter how much it thrilled her, she wasn’t delusional. It wasn’t something to be proud of.
“You’re sure?”
“I—I’m sure. I need to leave. I can feel it—it’s going to get worse.”
Zhu Sui paused, then said, “There is one way. But I’m not sure you’ll—”
“Tell me.” Song Zhen had no time to hesitate.
Zhu Sui said calmly, “You know… AO pheromones in saliva can be highly concentrated. Your scent right now is light and mainly comes from… certain areas. So…”
She brought her thumb to her lips… then, under Song Zhen’s stunned gaze, smeared the pheromones across her lips.
Song Zhen froze—then flushed crimson.
Zhu Sui was trying to completely mask her scent—with her own.
“…Is this really the only way?” Song Zhen asked, knowing the answer.
Zhu Sui didn’t respond—but her silence said it all.
After a long pause, as the heat gnawed deeper into her, Song Zhen finally nodded.
When Zhu Sui moved to hold her, Song Zhen flinched, nervous—instinctively shrinking away.
Zhu Sui gently embraced her, but even she was affected by Song Zhen’s pheromones now. Suddenly, she whispered by her ear, “You’ve never… done anything like this before, have you?”
Song Zhen blinked.
Zhu Sui kissed her cheek and murmured, “You weren’t raised in an AO household, so you probably didn’t know. The longer you spend around Alphas, the earlier you differentiate. In families like mine, no one differentiates past twenty. But you… you’re already twenty-four. If it were just Dr. Cheng…”
“You should’ve differentiated long ago… am I wrong?”Song Zhen fell silent.
Zhu Sui chuckled, warm breath teasing her cheek. “Don’t worry, I won’t let you suffer… jiejie.”
Then Song Zhen watched as Zhu Sui smeared pheromones on her fingers…
…then took her wrist…
…and guided those Alpha-scented fingertips to her own lips.
“Don’t tremble, jiejie. Spread it evenly.”
Time passed—agonizingly slow.
Suddenly, Song Zhen couldn’t hold back. Her lips parted—but in the next second, Zhu Sui kissed her deeply.
A long, consuming kiss.
Swallowing all the sounds of her unraveling.