chapter 7

Chapter 7: Betrayed

When Nan Yi looked up, he found himself lost in a pair of deep, inscrutable eyes. Subconsciously holding his breath, he stared for a few moments before a blush crept up his face.

He Yu Shen hadn't expected that as soon as he opened the door, he'd be hit by a soft head.

Those slender eyes filled with tears, and her face visibly reddened.

The omega, with his head down, dared not look up, his ear tips turning pink and his hands nervously clutching the hem of his clothes.

"What do you want?"

Prepared for He Yu Shen's wrath, Nan Yi paused, gently shaking his head.

After a few seconds, he slowly lifted his gaze, sneaking a peek behind He Yu Shen. The door was slightly ajar, the view unclear. He shifted to get a better look.

With just one glance, He Yu Shen discerned the omega's intention, a small smirk gracing his lips as he extended his left hand.

Nan Yi's cheek met the warm palm that stopped his sideward glance. A faint minty scent entered his nostrils, causing him to hesitate.

He Yu Shen looked on expressionlessly at the visibly flustered omega.

"Nan Zhai Min didn't come up," he stated coldly.

The apprehension Nan Yi felt a moment ago slightly subsided.

They stood close, the omega's fair nape clearly in view. A subtle sweetness permeated the air. He Yu Shen's usually calm face now displayed a hint of distaste.

The alpha's tone was slightly irritated, his gaze filled with disdain for Nan Yi.

"I truly underestimated you." The indifferent tone echoed overhead.

Nan Yi looked up, bewildered.

The warm hand glided from his cheek to his delicate chin, tightening its grip, forcing Nan Yi to lock eyes with the alpha.

He Yu Shen's current expression resembled the calm before a storm, veins popping on his hand, leaving a red mark on the pale, delicate chin.

"Always in heat wherever you go; truly pathetic."

Experiencing intense pain, Nan Yi tried to pry away the hands clutching him.

But before he could react, his arms were pinned overhead, and his back slammed against the cold wall.

"Ah." The combined pain from behind and in front made him let out a raspy cry.

"What is it? Are you afraid that Nan Zhai Min will come to take you away, so you're trying to seduce me to make you stay?" With an eagle-like intensity, he stared deeply into Nan Yi's eyes. They were so close that the faint minty breath lingered around Nan Yi's nostrils.

A tingling warmth swept over Nan Yi, rendering him motionless.

His face turned ashen with fear. Under the alpha's overwhelming pheromones, the back of his neck began to feel uncomfortable.

He Yu Shen's eyes narrowed menacingly. Though the caramel scent wasn't strong, his expression changed subtly.

"Hiding behind an innocent face, yet indulging in such vulgar acts. I overestimated you."

Nan Yi was already burning up, his mind clouded. He once again felt the terrifying heat, his thoughts dominated by that single, overwhelming urge, yearning for those overpowering pheromones.

A marked omega indeed becomes very attached to their alpha.

"Damn it."

He Yu Shen looked at Nan Yi irritably. As the pheromones grew stronger, reminiscent of the previous night, he couldn't help but react.

He pulled the burning figure into his embrace, letting the damp hair wet his shirt.

Staring at the delicate nape for a long moment.

He swallowed hard and lowered his head.

"Ah..." His hoarse voice echoed once again.

The overwhelming sensation eased significantly. His previously weak legs regained some strength. It was as if a withering flower had been watered, rejuvenated. His tearful, dazed eyes cleared.

"Mr. He, should I bring the guest up now?"

The butler's composed voice came from downstairs, and Nan Yi anxiously pushed against the strong chest of the alpha.

"Wait." His deep voice, slightly raspy, with warm breath brushed against the nape, causing Nan Yi's body to involuntarily shiver.

The hand that was gripping his shoulder released, and Nan Yi's right hand was pinned. He Yu Shen turned and roughly dragged him toward the bedroom.

"Ah."

The realization hit him, and in his desperation, he croaked, urging the alpha in front of him to release him.

Within a few steps, they were back in the bedroom, and with a strong push, Nan Yi found himself thrown onto the bed.

"Stay still. Stop spreading your pheromones and seducing everyone."

With a loud "thud," the bedroom door shut, leaving Nan Yi alone in the room.

Nan Yi pushed himself up, staring blankly at the closed door.

He wanted to find Nan Zhaimin, but given the pheromones he's emitting now, it doesn't seem appropriate.

Nan Yi hesitated, gazing at the door. After a few seconds, he decided to get up.

As he opened the bedroom door, Nan Yi locked eyes with the person outside. Song Jing wore a velvety robe, its neckline wide open, allowing the scent of vanilla pheromones to waft into the room.

Upon seeing Nan Yi, Song Jing glared intensely at his neck with a livid expression.

Song Jing's chest heaved continuously, looking at Nan Yi as if staring down an enemy.

"Shen marked you!" Song Jing exclaimed, grinding his teeth, seemingly in disbelief.

Nan Yi didn't have time for him, trying to push past with his slightly weak hand.

"You think you're worthy of Shen's mark?"

Song Jing, apparently overwhelmed, forcefully pushed Nan Yi.

Caught off-guard, Nan Yi stumbled backward. The partially opened door swung wide, and he crashed onto the bedroom floor. Despite the carpet, the impact made his head throb.

"A low-grade Omega? How dare you!" Song Jing seemed deranged, his eyes bloodshot as he glared at the fallen Nan Yi.

Nan Yi coolly looked up at the man standing over him, slowly trying to regain his footing.

Unexpectedly, the same man who had just berated him now approached with feigned concern, squatting down next to him.

"Mr. Nan, how did you fall? Let me help you up," Song Jing said in a saccharine tone that only intensified Nan Yi's disgust.

Nan Yi, with a stern face, pushed away the insincere Song Jing.

"Ah!" Song Jing let out a shriek.

He too fell, his head striking the ground.

Nan Yi coldly stood up, gazing at the man on the floor as if looking at a clown. Just as he was about to step out, a chilling voice halted him.

"What are you doing?" He Yushen stood with a stern face where Song Jing had been, casting a sidelong glance at Nan Yi.

It was then that Nan Yi realized why Song Jing's expression had changed so abruptly earlier.

"Brother Shen." Song Jing's face wore an expression of grievance.

Even getting up seemed as challenging as it might be for an octogenarian.

He Yushen bent down, pulling the man to his feet.

"What happened?" He Yushen inquired with a furrowed brow, looking towards Nan Yi.

Nan Yi met his gaze in silence.

Tears brimmed in Song Jing's eyes as he lamented, "I was just passing by and saw Mr. Nan fall. I wanted to help him, but he..."

He Yu Shen's expression darkened even more, remarking coldly, "If you have any grievances, speak up."

Song Jing said, "Mr. Nan, if you're bothered about the clothing, I don't blame you. If you wish to wear it again, feel free to take it from my room."

The person standing next to He Yu Shen finished speaking and instinctively took a step back, as if Nan Yi were a looming threat.

Nan Yi didn't want the duo to hold him up any longer. Intending to bypass them to find Nan Zhai Min, he made a slight move, prompting Song Jing to retreat fearfully.

Song Jing tightly clung to He Yu Shen's arm. The moment Nan Yi moved, the grip trembled.

He turned his head and softly reassured the omega beside him, "Little Jing, go to your room."

With a forlorn look in his eyes, Song Jing muttered an acknowledgment and stumbled back a few paces.

"Hmm."

Before he could get far, he halted with a soft grunt.

Concerned, He Yu Shen approached him, asking, "What's wrong?"

Song Jing replied, "I think I twisted my ankle."

Nan Yi observed the two in the corridor with an impassive gaze, noting He Yu Shen crouching down to cradle the omega in his arms.