Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Beads of sweat dotted Lu Yao's forehead, tears streaming down his cheeks. It felt like something was fighting to burst forth from the nape of his neck. He dug his fingers into his swelling gland, trying to ease the unbearable discomfort in his body.

It hurts so bad... God, it hurts...

Lu Yao didn’t know what was happening to him. The caramel scent had become so overpowering that he could no longer even detect it himself. All he knew was that his body was burning up, every inch of him aching.

His face flushed red as he curled up on the floor, trembling. His gland, triggered by Fu Yanhuai’s S-class pheromones, was forcibly undergoing secondary differentiation—something utterly overwhelming for someone who had lived as a beta for twenty-four years.

He clenched his eyes shut, enduring the chaos of his surging pheromones. Through the fog of pain, he remembered that he wasn’t supposed to be here. With all his strength, he tried to grip the bedpost, but even the effort of crawling onto his knees left him shaking. Gasping, he pressed against the bed frame, fighting the weakness in his limbs.

When Lu Qianxing’s call went straight to voicemail, he rushed upstairs in a panic to find Guan Qinglu. His heart pounded violently as he slammed open the spa room door, only now realizing how terrifying the situation was.

Guan Qinglu jolted awake, annoyance sharp in her voice. “Who is it?”

“Mom! Stop whatever you’re doing—Lu Yao is downstairs right now!”

Guan Qinglu kept her eyes closed, displeased. “And? You want me to roll out the red carpet? I told you to stall him. If you couldn’t, just lock him in a room. That coward wouldn't lift a finger.”

She muttered under her breath, “What’s that smell? It’s like someone’s pheromones.”

Lu Qianxing’s hands trembled violently as he rushed to her side. “No, Mom—Lu Yao, he… he's presenting! Like right now! He doesn’t look normal. I locked him in a room downstairs. What do we do now?”

Guan Qinglu sat up abruptly. “Lu Yao differentiated? How is that possible?”

After ending the call with Wen Zheng, Fu Yanhuai pulled straight into the Lu estate. The gate stood unmanned, with only a few maids inside—all of whom recognized him and didn’t dare stop him.

Fu Yanhuai wasn't here for pleasantries. His icy gaze swept over them. “Where’s Lu Yao?”

They exchanged uneasy looks. Their employer was the Lu family, not the Fu family, so they clammed up immediately.

One of them stammered, “He was here just a moment ago… He... might've stepped out?”

Fu Yanhuai’s voice was clipped. “If you can’t even lie properly, don’t bother trying to prove your loyalty now.”

His arrogance silenced them all. No one dared approach him again. He scanned the room, but none of the Lu family members were in sight.

He had already realized that today’s phone call was a setup targeting Lu Yao. White-hot anger flashed through him.

The Lus would pay for touching what was his.

Lu Qianxing hadn’t turned on the air purifier after locking Lu Yao in the room, letting the caramel scent leak out through the door crack. The moment Fu Yanhuai caught the scent, his control over his pheromones slipped.

Though he didn’t know the source of the smell, he was certain it was connected to Lu Yao. Without hesitation, he strode toward the first-floor guest room.

The maids, though unwilling to provoke him, couldn’t just stand by. “Mr. Fu, if you need anything, we can bring it to you. Madam and Young Master are upstairs—they’ll be down soon. Please, won't you wait in the parlor?”

Fu Yanhuai frowned. He didn’t want to trouble unrelated people, but his patience was wearing thin.

Ignoring them, he walked straight to the guest room. The closer he got, the stronger the sweet fragrance became. He stopped in front of the door, hearing faint rustling sounds—like feeble scratching—a trapped creature.

He pressed down on the handle.

The door was locked.

The staff held their breath as Fu Yanhuai stood there in silence. Finally, Guan Qinglu and Lu Qianxing hurried downstairs, flustered.

The moment Guan Qinglu saw Fu Yanhuai, her blood ran cold. She had barely thrown on her coat in her rush. Forcing composure, she stepped forward. “Mr. Fu, why didn’t you let us know you were coming? What are you all standing around for? Stop gawking and serve tea!”

Lu Qianxing trailed behind guiltily, not daring to look up at Fu Yanhuai or make a sound.

So Fu Yanhuai gave one last chance, asking slowly, "Is Lu Yao inside?"

Guan Qinglu continued to evade the question, "He was here just now, who knows where he's run off to. Let's not worry about him, Fu—"

A loud crash interrupted her words. Fu Yanhuai took a slight step back and slammed the door open with one kick.

The caramel pheromones exploded outward, instantly assaulting Fu Yanhuai's senses. His glands reacted almost immediately, his S-class pheromones surging forth in overwhelming intensity, chasing and overwhelming the scattered traces of Lu Yao's scent.

The door crashed against the wall and bounced back, gradually obscuring Fu Yanhuai's view.

Lu Yao must have struggled to crawl toward the door—his arms stretched desperately forward, gripping the foot of the bed. The deep blue silk shirt clung to his slender waist, his shirt riding up slightly from his movements, revealing a glimpse of pale, smooth skin.

The eruption of S-class pheromones paralyzed everyone, unable to move. Fu Yanhuai exerted tremendous effort just to barely suppress the inner turmoil within him.

He raised his hand and pushed the door open again, stepping inside with restrained control. Yet the sweet caramel fragrance still triggered violent, possessive urges within him.

But this time, it was different from any omega pheromone he had encountered before. Fu Yanhuai didn’t instinctively resist—instead, he was overwhelmed by the urge to completely mark the unconscious omega lying on the floor.

Step by step, he advanced, his S-class pheromones ruthlessly overpowering the caramel scent until Silver Fir’s aura completely enveloped Lu Yao.

The shift in pheromones made Lu Yao whimper faintly in his unconscious state. When Fu Yanhuai lifted him, Lu Yao instinctively pressed a hand against his shoulder—a conflicted gesture, both inviting and resisting.

Fu Yanhuai turned with Lu Yao in his arms. If one looked closely, they could see the veins bulging along his neck and the back of his hand. But now, with his alpha dominance radiating unchecked, no one dared to stare for long.

Lu Qianxing barely managed to force out a few words, "Lu Yao... he actually presented as an omega."

Guan Qinglu snapped out of her daze at his voice and forced herself to explain the chaos to Fu Yanhuai. "I don’t know how Lu Yao ended up in that room, Fu—"

Fu Yanhuai walked past them, uttering just two icy words, "Move."

Once in the car, Fu Yanhuai activated the containment system to prevent pheromone leakage, but the caramel scent continued to seep from the backseat. Lu Yao’s body burned hotter, his breathing ragged with soft whimpers.

He needed an inhibitor—or a mark.

Fu Yanhuai floored the accelerator. As an alpha, he couldn’t resist an omega's allure. For the first time, he didn’t fight it. The overwhelming urge to claim made it impossible to suppress his pheromones.

Returning to the city now would draw too much attention. Unsure of the car’s seal integrity, Fu Yanhuai chose to head to the Fu family ancestral home before he lost control completely.

Shen Jinyan hadn’t come alone—Shen Tai had brought him under the guise of reminiscing with Fu Jizhong, using the opportunity to introduce Shen Jinyan.

"Hahaha, Fu Group’s latest venture is quite ambitious. Old Fu, your son is truly impressive."

Fu Jizhong and Shen Tai weren’t particularly close. He responded with polite but distant indifference, "Hardly. Just a small, insignificant project."

Shen Tai and Shen Jinyan had been sitting there for nearly half an hour without getting to the point. Wen Zheng sipped her tea gracefully, beginning to grow bored.

"Our families should gather more often. Lately, I’ve been reminiscing about our younger days. The children still have so much growing to do—ah, but never mind. We’re getting old."

Fu Jizhong didn’t feel old. He and Wen Zheng had been enjoying their time together lately.

"Of course. We’ll make time in the future."

In the world of adults, "making time" often meant never actually happening.

Shen Tai agreed half-heartedly. "Wonderful. I’ll bring my wife and eldest son along."

Noticing Wen Zheng’s disinterest, Shen Jinyan smiled and asked, "Auntie, do you like succulents? These two varieties are rather finicky. If you prefer something cuter, I’d be happy to accompany you to the flower market to pick some out."

As soon as Shen Jinyan's question left his lips, the room fell into instant silence.

Fu Jizhong wouldn't chime in on such matters, silently inviting Shen Tai to share some tea instead.

Wen Zheng stroked the scarf on her shoulders and smiled warmly. "Oh, these aren't mine. Thankfully, there's a considerate younger family member who sends little gifts to cheer up Old Fu. This scarf was also a gift from the child. What do you think, does it look nice?"

Shen Jinyan praised sincerely, "The color pairing is very striking. Fu-zong has good taste."

Wen Zheng shook her head helplessly. "He's hardly that filial, always remembering the two of us. This was a gift from Little Deer—much more obedient than that brat."

Shen Jinyan's smile froze at the corners of his lips, and even Shen Tai also couldn't maintain his cheer. Forcing a curious expression, Shen Jinyan asked, "Then... that would be...?"

"Of course, Yanhuai's partner," Wen Zheng replied matter-of-factly. "The boy is quite good. I like him very much."

This time, Shen Jinyan couldn't maintain his smile at all. He couldn't help but study Wen Zheng's face closely, trying to discern whether her words held any hidden meaning. When had Wen Zheng even interacted with Lu Yao?

Wen Zheng noticed Shen Jinyan's odd reaction and roughly guessed the purpose behind the father and son's visit today. What puzzled her was why Shen Jinyan had suddenly come directly to the Fu family ancestral home—had he already had dealings with Fu Yanhuai?

Shen Jinyan quickly adjusted his expression. Though his thoughts remained unclear, he still responded politely, "I hope to have the chance to make Mr. Lu's acquaintance someday."

Wen Zheng didn't reply. Just then, someone hurried in through the main entrance, bending down to whisper something in her ear.

A rare look of surprise crossed Wen Zheng's face. Fu Jizhong asked quietly, "What's wrong?"

Wen Zheng said casually, "Oh, it's nothing. They said the pond in the backyard is damaged. I'll go take a look. You two continue chatting."

Fu Jizhong glanced at Wen Zheng, certain the matter wasn't so simple, but he turned back to Shen Tai and said, "It's fine. Let's continue our conversation."

Once outside, Wen Zheng and the maid picked up speed. Wen Zheng asked anxiously, "What happened? How could Lu Yao have fainted? Where are they now?"

"President Fu took him to the small villa where he used to live. I'm a beta, so I couldn't smell anything, but I had a detector on me—the readings showed the pheromone index was off the charts."

Wen Zheng halted abruptly. "Yanhuai's pheromones went out of control?"

The maid hesitated before answering, "The alpha-omega pheromones reached estrus standards."

Wen Zheng was even more stunned. "Estrus standards? No pheromone resistance at all?"

The maid confirmed firmly, "None. Though President Fu came in very hurriedly, his condition was completely stable."

Though bewildered, Wen Zheng steadied herself and instructed, "Regardless, prepare nutritional supplements, water, and safety supplies for the heat cycle. Make sure to call Fu Yanhuai out during the intervals of the estrus heat. If Lu Yao has just undergone secondary differentiation into an omega, his newly formed gland is still fragile—he'll need the family doctor to prescribe medication to stabilize his pheromones."

The maid nodded solemnly. "Understood."

Wen Zheng pressed her forehead in frustration. "That's all for now. Go check if Shen Tai and the others have left yet."

She had no patience left for guests with ulterior motives—Wen Zheng now had far more pressing concerns to deal with.

The maid busied herself with the tasks as instructed, while Wen Zheng warned everyone to keep their distance from the villa. She waited a while longer, but no abnormal noises came from inside. Only then did she leave, though still uneasy.

After carrying Lu Yao into the isolated villa, Fu Yanhuai could no longer restrain his pheromones. He had never imagined an omega could affect him so profoundly.

His long-dormant gland caught the scent of the tender omega scent. Fu Yanhuai tightened his hold on Lu Yao and called out to him in a controlled whisper, "Lu Yao, wake up."

Of course, Lu Yao didn't wake. The violently erupting estrus heat washed over him mercilessly. Though he had never been marked before, his body had already memorized the scent of Fu Yanhuai's pheromones.

Dazed, he rubbed fretfully against Fu Yanhuai's chest. The mere scent of Silver Fir couldn't suppress the raging heat coursing through him. His nape itched as if ants were crawling and biting, making him want to cry.

Lu Yao's movements stirred a response in Fu Yanhuai. Taking a deep breath, he scolded, "Stop squirming."

Not only did Lu Yao fail to hear him, but he also reached up to claw at his freshly developed gland. For what felt like the hundredth time, Fu Yanhuai caught Lu Yao's hand, but with only one hand free, restraining Lu Yao's restless limbs was a struggle. Holding Lu Yao with one arm, Fu Yanhuai carried him upstairs while Lu Yao kept twisting, trying to scratch his gland.

Fu Yanhuai's throat moved. He could no longer control himself—nor did he want to.

On the staircase leading to the second floor of the villa, Fu Yanhuai set Lu Yao down from his embrace. Lu Yao slumped weakly against him, and Fu Yanhuai half-held, half-supported him, helping him maintain a semblance of a standing position.

Then, Fu Yanhuai released his scent fully. Amid the overwhelming, aggressive scent of Silver Fir, he lowered his head and bit down fiercely into Lu Yao's gland.

The moment his canines pierced the skin, Lu Yao's body began storing Fu Yanhuai's pheromones properly. The aromas of Silver Fir and caramel gradually merged, the roots of the tree embedding themselves firmly into Lu Yao's gland.

Having just matured, the gland was now subjected to the mark of an S-level alpha. The hidden pleasure of pheromone bonding couldn't mask the sharp pain. The intense discomfort of pheromones flooding his system roused Lu Yao awake from unconsciousness.

"Ugh... it hurts..."

Lu Yao woke up crying. The estrus heat and the pain of being marked swept through his entire body. Weak and disoriented, he could do nothing but pant heavily.

He didn't know he was being marked. He didn't even fully grasp what had just happened or where he was now.

The scent of Silver Fir was too overwhelming. The pheromone connection had already formed. Lu Yao tried to lift his head to see what was happening, but the alpha in rut misinterpreted it as his prey trying to escape.

Lu Yao's movement displeased Fu Yanhuai. Gripping the back of his neck, Fu Yanhuai bit down on the gland again—deeper, harder.

This time, Lu Yao felt the process of the temporary mark being created clearly and painfully. He couldn't stop whimpering. "It's so strange... Yanhuai, can you let me go...?"

The hidden pleasure of pheromone bonding flooded his body. The sound of the omega's tearful pleas momentarily cleared Fu Yanhuai's mind.

"You've presented."

Fu Yanhuai's voice was hoarse. "Lu Yao, you've presented as an omega."

Lu Yao didn't understand. Through tears, he asked, "But... wasn't I a beta?"

Fu Yanhuai wasn't about to explain the definition of secondary differentiation in this situation. He simply lifted him by the thighs and carried him. "You were. Not anymore."

Lu Yao's body was boneless. Suppressing his own urges, Fu Yanhuai reminded him, "Hold onto me."

Lu Yao's face pressed against Fu Yanhuai's neck, their scorching skin only amplifying the heat.

Obediently, Lu Yao slipped his arms around Fu Yanhuai's neck, though his limbs were too weak to exert any real strength. "Then... what should I do?"

His voice still trembled with tears. The estrus heat left his mind in chaos, his pheromones running rampant. Struggling, Lu Yao tried to focus on Fu Yanhuai's face.

Tears dripped onto Fu Yanhuai's shoulder one by one. "If I'm an omega now... does that mean you don't need me anymore?"

Fu Yanhuai's much-vaunted self-control crumbled entirely. Summoning the last shred of his rationality, he carried Lu Yao back to the bedroom. The door slammed shut behind them with a loud slam.

The noise startled Lu Yao—omegas in heat were extremely vulnerable. Fortunately, Fu Yanhuai gripped his chin, forcing him to meet his gaze. The scent of Silver Fir enveloped Lu Yao completely, leaving no room for escape.

Once again, Lu Yao was entirely under Fu Yanhuai's control. The sensation of their pheromones merging was strange yet mesmerizing. Lu Yao could faintly sense the shifts in Fu Yanhuai's emotions. The closer he was to this alpha, the more his panic eased.

This was the effect of the temporary mark. Driven by instinct, Lu Yao unconsciously sought to please his alpha.

Fu Yanhuai's thumb brushed lightly over the plump, sensitive gland. Lu Yao's body trembled uncontrollably.

"I just marked you," Fu Yanhuai murmured, applying slight pressure with his fingers. "But there was no pheromone resistance."

Lu Yao's sobs came in broken gasps, and Fu Yanhuai's last shred of control shattered. "You belong to me."

Only today did Lu Yao realize that Fu Yanhuai had previously shown restraint during his rut cycles. An alpha's possessiveness was fierce and unreasonable, and the sheer pressure of pheromones alone made Lu Yao yield his body completely.

Before Lu Yao could even experience normal pheromone exchange, he was subjected to a messy, complete claiming.

The sensation of having both his breeding chamber and scent gland branded simultaneously was something Lu Yao would never forget. The marks on the back of his neck had only just begun to fade, and now there were fresh ones.

This was also Fu Yanhuai's first marking. To him, there was no reason to refuse such an irresistible temptation placed right before him. And, just as he had imagined, it was delicious.

The knot completed the bond, the final step in an alpha-omega union. Fu Yanhuai's pheromones were indeed aggressive, but this wasn't the resistance Lu Yao had heard about.

With broken sobs, Lu Yao whimpered, "No more, really... Can we stop...?"

Fu Yanhuai was concerned about something else. "Your fever has gone down."

The marking left Fu Yanhuai thoroughly satisfied. He leaned down to kiss Lu Yao's eyelids. "Your previous fevers were likely due to gland maturation. After this, those issues shouldn't return."

Right now, Lu Yao couldn't spare the energy to think about any of that. He truly couldn't take it anymore—his legs had turned to jelly, yet he still shook as he weakly attempted to crawl away.

Being able to smell pheromones wasn't necessarily a good thing. The scent of Silver Fir saturated the air, and every movement Lu Yao made was influenced by Fu Yanhuai. He just wanted to get away, even if only temporarily.

Fu Yanhuai gripped Lu Yao's waist and dragged him back roughly. "Where do you think you're going?"

Lu Yao began crying again. "If my fever's already gone down, why do we have to keep...?"

Fu Yanhuai replied calmly, "Because your heat cycle isn't over yet."

Now, he was patient enough to explain. "An omega's heat lasts about seven days. What you're showing isn't a sign of temporary relief. If you leave my pheromones now, the heat will come back stronger."

What did that mean? Lu Yao remembered himself as someone who had always been disinterested in physical urges.

Fu Yanhuai mused before concluding, "Perhaps you couldn't handle what we just did."

Shamefully, Lu Yao sobbed, "Then why... are you still... like this?"

"Because I like it." Fu Yanhuai was bluntly honest as he gripped Lu Yao's wrist. "Behave, darling."

Like what? Did this mean Fu Yanhuai liked him, even just a little?

This was the first time Fu Yanhuai had spoken to him in such a tender tone. Lu Yao truly stopped struggling then, obediently lowering his head to expose his faintly pink scent gland to Fu Yanhuai.

Just before Lu Yao nearly passed out, the first wave of his heat—completely under Fu Yanhuai's control—finally subsided.

Lu Yao lay on his side, breathing raggedly. He hadn't fully calmed down yet, and even the slightest touch from Fu Yanhuai elicited a visceral response.

The cool sheets wrapped around him, while the room remained thick with the scent of Silver Fir.

Fu Yanhuai brushed his thumb over Lu Yao's lips, and Lu Yao turned his tear-bright eyes upward toward the alpha.

"I'll get water and medicine. I'll be right back. Wait here for me, okay?"

Lu Yao's lips were burning crimson. The thought of Fu Yanhuai leaving filled him with overwhelming dread.

"No! Can I come with you? Where are you going? I'm not thirsty, I—"

The effects of the full marking were at their peak during his heat. Even Fu Yanhuai was momentarily stunned.

So, he simply gathered Lu Yao—blanket bundle and all—into his arms. "You need to hydrate."

Lu Yao clung to Fu Yanhuai with all his strength, murmuring, "I'm really not thirsty."

There wasn't a single bottle of water in the room. Unperturbed, Fu Yanhuai carried Lu Yao downstairs.

"Why are you so scared? Do you want me to stay with you?"

The pheromone concentration dropped sharply outside the room. The stairs were long, and Lu Yao buried his face against Fu Yanhuai's neck.

He couldn't lie to his alpha—Lu Yao had never been good at deception.

Blushing, he whispered, "I do."

Lu Yao stole a glance at Fu Yanhuai's profile. If Fu Yanhuai had looked down then, he would have seen the adoring gaze Lu Yao didn’t dare voice aloud.

But Fu Yanhuai was still Fu Yanhuai—he couldn't be expected to look closely at anyone.

As expected, the first floor had plenty of water and medicine prepared. Wen Zheng had even thoughtfully drawn all the curtains.

Lu Yao didn’t notice these details. Fu Yanhuai was treating him with unprecedented patience, and Lu Yao could only stare at him, completely enraptured.

Fu Yanhuai sat on the couch with Lu Yao cradled against him, letting him sip slowly from the bottle in his hand.

He tilted it carefully, afraid Lu Yao might choke, feeding him the water at a gentle pace.

Once Lu Yao had drunk enough, Fu Yanhuai pulled the bottle away. "More?"

Lu Yao shook his head, curled up securely in Fu Yanhuai's arms—a comforting position for an omega fresh from heat. "No."

Fu Yanhuai tipped Lu Yao's chin up to inspect his mouth—lips and tongue still flushed and damp—before releasing him.

Lu Yao's face flamed scarlet once more. He protested weakly, "I really wasn’t lying about not being thirsty."

Fu Yanhuai smirked. "Oh? So you’ve never lied to me before?"

Lu Yao was truly easy to fluster, and Fu Yanhuai found it perpetually entertaining.

Flustered, Lu Yao stammered, "Back then, I just—"

Fu Yanhuai cut him off with a deep, devouring kiss that effortlessly reignited Lu Yao's desire.

Lu Yao gazed at Fu Yanhuai with profound, abiding devotion. The heat and marking had given him newfound courage, and Fu Yanhuai's tenderness made him feel as though he’d finally grasped the happiness he’d longed for.

Fu Yanhuai still under Lu Yao's worshipful look. He knew many people desired him—admiration and reverence were nothing new. But Lu Yao’s eyes held something he’d never seen before.

As the heat surged through him again, Lu Yao asked Fu Yanhuai with desperate hope.

"Can we... always be like this?"

Fu Yanhuai pulled him closer. After a weighty pause, he answered, "Okay."

Lu Yao couldn’t help but smile. Gathering his nerve, he lifted his head to brush his lips to the corner of Fu Yanhuai’s lips—and Fu Yanhuai didn’t refuse.

This conscious wave of heat left the couch ruined. By the time Fu Yanhuai carried Lu Yao back upstairs, it was already late at night.

Spent, Lu Yao drifted into a deep sleep. The day’s events had sapped every ounce of his strength, and his lingering illness had already left him weary.

Despite his fatigue, he curled into Fu Yanhuai, enveloped in the comforting aura of Silver Fir pheromones, slumbering peacefully.

Fu Yanhuai’s arm draped possessively over Lu Yao’s waist. But unlike Lu Yao’s uncomplicated happiness, his mind wrestled with conflicting thoughts.

Lu Yao had presented as an omega—one Fu Yanhuai couldn't resist at all.

Fu Yanhuai didn’t know what this meant. Perhaps influenced by the mark, he found himself unable to reject Lu Yao.

It must be because of the mark.

Lu Yao and Fu Yanhuai spent three days of utter carnal abandon. Only after the third day could Fu Yanhuai finally put a little distance between them.

An omega in heat needs their alpha by their side at all times, but Fu Yanhuai had to explain the situation to Wen Zheng in detail.

On the morning of the fourth day, while Lu Yao was still asleep, Fu Yanhuai ensured the pheromone concentration in the room was sufficient before stepping out for a brief ten minutes.

Wen Zheng was already waiting outside the door. Fu Yanhuai, wrapped only in a bathrobe, reeked so strongly of pheromones that Wen Zheng instinctively took a step back.

"Why is it all your scent? Where’s Lu Yao?"

Fu Yanhuai summarized succinctly, "Lu Yao presented as an omega. I felt no instinctive rejection toward him. Then, I fully marked him."

Though she had anticipated this, hearing it confirmed still made Wen Zheng’s heart lurched. "How is Lu Yao now? Why can’t I smell his pheromones?"

Fu Yanhuai speculated, "Perhaps his gland is still newly matured, or his rank isn’t high enough, so it’s overshadowed by mine."

Wen Zheng reminded him, "Rank is the least of our concerns. Since his gland is still unstable, you need to be careful. Has Lu Yao shown any discomfort?"

Fu Yanhuai recalled Lu Yao’s condition. "He seems..."

His hesitation spoke volumes. "He’s fine. Just... sensitive."

Wen Zheng’s expression was complicated. Fu Yanhuai explained, "He can’t stand being too far from me."

Wen Zheng nodded knowingly. "Oh, that’s normal. Omegas are like that during heat. It’ll pass once this period is over."

Fu Yanhuai frowned slightly. Truthfully, he didn’t mind things as they were.

"Your father has been handling urgent matters at the company these past two days. No major issues. Guan Qinglu and Lu Qianxing came looking for you once, but the house was empty, so the butler sent them away."

Fu Yanhuai hummed in acknowledgment. "You already knew."

A trace of disdain flickered across Wen Zheng’s face. "Guan Qinglu might have been pitiable once, but Lu Yao is the one who truly suffered as her child. If I were her, I wouldn’t still be entangled with Lu Zhongguang, leeching off my own child to survive."

Fu Yanhuai offered no comment. Wen Zheng hesitated before adding, "We still don’t know Little Deer’s stance. Don’t ask him about what happened that day yet. Just focus on taking care of him through his heat."

Fu Yanhuai said firmly, "I will."

Wen Zheng urged him, "Go back upstairs. He’ll wake up soon."

Just as Fu Yanhuai turned to leave, Wen Zheng called out to him again.

"Fu Yanhuai." Her expression was grave. "I never cared about your plans before. But now that you’ve fully marked Lu Yao, you should know how painful it is to remove an S-rank mark—not to mention the high risk of failure. Whatever came before no longer matters. From now on, you must take responsibility for this marriage."

Fu Yanhuai didn’t answer. After a pause, he turned and left.

Not long after Fu Yanhuai closed the door, Lu Yao stirred groggily, sensing something amiss. The pheromone levels hadn’t changed, yet he struggled awake anyway.

"Yanhuai..."

He didn’t realize how longing and needy his voice sounded. Blinking blearily, he saw no sign of Fu Yanhuai.

A panic he couldn’t articulate seized him—like a towering tree suddenly vanishing from the earth, leaving him alone in a vast, desolate snowfield.

Lu Yao threw off the covers and tried to get out of bed, only to collapse heavily onto the floor. Mottled red marks covered his body, and slick glistened under the light. He tried to push himself up, trembling.

Fu Yanhuai sensed something wrong the moment he reached the door. Frowning, he stepped inside and took in the scene.

His knot swelled instantly. He strode over and stood before Lu Yao, who slowly lifted his tear-streaked face.

Fu Yanhuai sighed and crouched down, pulling Lu Yao into a tight embrace. "Don’t cry."

Lu Yao didn’t want to be like this. He knew it wasn’t normal, but he couldn’t bear to be apart from Fu Yanhuai for even a second.

"It’s probably because of the heat," Lu Yao choked out. "Am I being a burden? I didn’t mean to..."

"Yes." Fu Yanhuai massaged Lu Yao’s scent gland soothingly. "But it’s not your fault."

Lu Yao loved this overwhelming proximity. His alpha’s presence quickly eased his panic. Fu Yanhuai waited patiently as Lu Yao’s body gradually warmed up. Then, in this half-kneeling, half-embracing position, he bit down on Lu Yao’s gland again.

Over the next three days, Lu Yao’s heat gradually subsided. Only when their scents had fully synced did his heat finally end.

Lu Yao’s hormones were stabilizing, though he wasn’t sure what an omega’s usual state should feel like. He still clung to Fu Yanhuai as much as ever.

Dressed in fresh clothes, Lu Yao held onto the railing as he descended the stairs. Fu Yanhuai was at the table, eating breakfast.

Though his limbs still felt weak, he seemed mostly recovered. They had the villa to themselves, as if the world narrowed to just the two of them.

The adoration in Lu Yao’s gaze hadn’t faded. The world after a full mark was new—a profound connection between him and Fu Yanhuai.

Noticing his own scent on Fu Yanhuai, Lu Yao blushed as he took his seat.

"Changing took longer because the wound hurt a little."

He wanted to press closer but restrained himself, fighting to appear composed.

Fu Yanhuai grunted in response and pushed his plate aside. "Let me see."

Lu Yao dutifully bared his neck. Fu Yanhuai removed the scent patch, eyeing the prominent mating mark.

Even though it was in a typical bonding site, Fu Yanhuai’s gaze made Lu Yao squirm. He told himself there was nothing to be shy about—after all, they’d done this countless times already.

When Fu Yanhuai’s fingers lightly brushed the mark, Lu Yao’s cool facade crumbled instantly. His ears turned a glowing red. "I-Is something wrong?"

Fu Yanhuai pulled back. "It’s inflamed. I called Dr. Feng over. He’ll take a look soon."

"Oh, okay." Lu Yao was apologetic about the doctor's trip. "Sorry for the trouble."

Fu Yanhuai carefully reapplied the gland patch. "It’s fine. It’s his job."

Their combined Silver Fir and caramel scent was heady. Lu Yao found himself breathing it in.

Happiness came naturally to him. Sensing it, Fu Yanhuai wondered aloud, "Do you like when I tend to your scent gland?"

"?" Lu Yao quickly denied. "No, I—"

"Little Deer!"

Wen Zheng swept in with Dr. Feng. A week later, she was finally seeing Lu Yao again. Her eyes searched his face. "How are you feeling? Any pain?"

Being freshly marked right after presentation, Wen Zheng feared complications to Lu Yao’s gland.

Though flushed, he'd clearly lost weight. Wen Zheng's assessing gaze looked him over with worry. Lu Yao was quick to reassure her, "No, I’m perfectly fine, really."

Wen Zheng saw that he indeed seemed fine, and she finally let out a sigh of relief, sitting down on a nearby chair. "I was afraid you two youngsters might be reckless, but it seems you still had some restraint."

Lu Yao's face flushed slightly. Fu Yanhuai nodded to Dr. Feng. "You’ve arrived. Have a seat."

The maids quietly came forward to clear the table. Wen Zheng asked Lu Yao softly, "Have you eaten? Are you hungry?"

Dr. Feng opened his medical kit. Lu Yao replied a bit embarrassed, "I just woke up. I'm not hungry yet."

Wen Zheng gently stroked Lu Yao's hair. "You can eat when you get hungry. I'll have the kitchen prepare something in advance."

Dr. Feng first prescribed some basic medication, then proceeded with the usual instructions. "Apply the ointment to the wound twice a day. Family doctors aren't authorized to conduct pheromone tests—level and compatibility screenings must be done at the hospital. Also, may I ask if you’ve taken any protective measures these past seven days?"

Lu Yao hesitated for a moment before turning to look at Fu Yanhuai. Fu Yanhuai replied casually, "No."

This time, it was Wen Zheng’s turn to glare at Fu Yanhuai. She was so angry she almost lost her composure—she had specifically sent them over!

The protection had been sent over, and Fu Yanhuai had seen them, but he had simply ignored them and gone upstairs.

Fu Yanhuai said calmly, "The gland has just matured. The pregnancy risk is minimal."

Lu Yao looked up sharply to look at Fu Yanhuai, who placed a hand over the back of Lu Yao’s neck. His face was unreadable as he met Lu Yao’s gaze.

"Omegas have a reproductive cavity. Of course, they can get pregnant."

Lu Yao’s mind went blank again. He did know that omegas could get pregnant, but the idea of it happening to him...

He really was an omega now.

The interaction between Lu Yao and Fu Yanhuai made Wen Zheng frown. She discreetly pushed Fu Yanhuai’s hand away. "In that case, the two of you should go to the hospital for a check-up. It’d be good to see if Lu Yao’s gland has suffered any damage."

Fu Yanhuai thought for a moment. "That’s fine."

The house was a mess, with only the dining area tidied up. Wen Zheng stood. "This isn’t the place for this conversation. Let’s discuss it further once we’re back in the main house."

"Dr. Feng," Wen Zheng said with genuine warmth, "my assistant will send your bonus. Thank you for your hard work."

Dr. Feng smiled just as sincerely—the Fu family paid well. "It’s my duty."

"Little Deer," Wen Zheng turned back to call Lu Yao. "Come with Mom."

Lu Yao couldn’t resist the nickname. He followed obediently but glanced back at Fu Yanhuai as he walked.

Fu Yanhuai followed casually behind them, his pheromones more stable than they had ever been.

Wen Zheng tilted her head and asked Lu Yao gently, "Don’t worry. If you’re not feeling unwell, this heat probably wasn't too severe. I don't know if we can make it today, but Fu Yanhuai should take you to the hospital."

"Thank you, Mom. I feel fine."

"We’re family. No need for thanks."

Walking alongside Wen Zheng like this, Lu Yao felt strangely dazed. It all felt unreal.

Lu Yao lowered his head and absentmindedly touched his stomach.

Could he really get pregnant?