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Chapter Text

Light flooded part of the room as the Alpha made his way into the storage room. Gao Tu hid beside some piece of furniture that he had not taken the time to look into. His body reacted so fast from one moment standing to hiding that it left him dizzy.

His heart beat so hard he was sure Shen Wen Lang would find him only for this. The noise a constant drum against his ears. Every one of his five senses ready to flight even in his dizziness and confusion.

As the other man, The Alpha, made his way into the room looking for his secretary and for the source of the noise, the door clicked shut after him. Leaving the room dark, barely illuminated by the soft lighting of the moon, trapped in it.

Soft, hunter-like steps passed by Gao Tu's side as he crouched, trying to remain invisible with all his will, fighting against every instinct in him that longed to reach out to the Alpha. But President Shen could not find him; he would never risk losing him, losing everything. He couldn't discover that he was an omega.

As the steps in the dark room faded a little, the omega used all of his strength to get up and rush out of the room. Each heavy step took a little out of him, his breathing ragged, and the confusion trying to pull him down, pull him under, and have him submit, have him present to the Alpha he had always wanted.

In his haste, he stepped over some glass he must have shattered earlier, making noise that surely would attract the Alpha to him. He moved faster, rushing to the door now. 

Leave. His brain screamed.

Submit. His instincts begged. 

His hand barely grazes the doorknob, just as a strong hand seizes his other arm, and he is violently pulled back and then pushed to the bed. 

No, he did not want this. Shen Wen Lang did not want this. He was not in control. The Alpha's mind disconnected due to his biology's influence. His heat.

The air left his lungs for a second as he fell on the soft surface, but not long enough of a time for Wen Lang to react in the darkness as he used the little control he had over his heat to sit up and plan his escape. As soon as his back loses contact with the bed and his legs tense to run, a strong hand pushes him back into the bed.

Deep inside, his omega biology preens at the Alpha's determination to keep him.

Willing to hunt him. 

Warm and strong fingers keep him pinned to the bed by holding his arm down. He uses the other arm to cover his face. The little window does not provide enough light to be seen, but he will not risk it. 

President Shen doesn't want this. He doesn't want him. 

Omegas are not what he wants. He has made that more than clear, and he will not lose it all for losing control over his body near him. He curses the lack of control he has over this failing body he was cursed with. 

"An Omega in Heat." Murmurs the Alpha over him, his tone disgusted. "Who sent you?"

Any thought, any instinct of submitting that was burrowing within him leaves his brain. He does not want this. He truly does not want this. Gao Tu must be strong for both of them, as his pheromones have already trapped the Alpha.

With a last push, using the little energy he has left to fight this, his arms push away the man he loves, and this time, he manages to get on his feet and take a step towards the door.

The relief is short-lived as he is seized again, this time with both hands. Keeping him trapped within the strong grip of an S-Class Alpha to avoid any other escape attempt. He could use distress pheromones to force some sense into him, force his companion instincts to go into protection instead of mating. 

He knows that it would work. Shen Wen Lang is a good man; he would not force him with the proof of distress shoved in his face.

He could use them

He could.

But the distress pheromones will not come out. He is in distress, but only logically; only his scattered thoughts are distressed. 

His body wants him, his heart wants him. He wants him so, even when his brain is screaming to leave.

Even when his brain knows he is making the worst mistake of his life, he wants to stay.

He falls on his stomach this time, the bed creaking under his weight. A hand on his neck, pinning him in a deeply intimate way. No one had ever touched his gland to keep him immobile. Scruffing can be highly erotic, but it can also be the deepest of violations.

He whines.

The hands that command an entire industry now holding him down as he tries to get up for a final and painful time, as the Alpha releases his neck with a squeeze.

Shen Wen Lang. He is trying, truly.  Please let him do the right thing. For both of them. He could never forgive himself for this.

The hand on the center of his back keeps pushing harder, forcing him to submit. His omega hind brain taking control over himself as his own Sage pheromones get released in response to every touch, every possessive breath, and pheromone pushed to make him surrender.

"You smell nice," confesses the Alpha over him. That small comment manages to pull Gao Tu out of the heat haze controlling his brain. This is definitely not him, President Shen hates Omega scents, specially- specially his sage one. He thinks with pain in his core.

Ready to beg, to do whatever is necessary to not do this to President Shen, he forces himself to fight against this again.

"Let me go," asks Gao Tu, with a gasp, as he feels the hot and hard member against his body, everything in him begging to be filled. He can feel the slick coming out of him. He hates himself for it.

"Let you go?" The Alpha asks with a voice that he has never heard before. "You filthy omega."

Soft and long fingers caress his lips, trying to gain entry into his body. "You planned this. Didn't you?"

He didn't; all he tried was to hide. He did not want it like this, never like this. He did not wish to use his pheromones to force Wen Lang into this.

He bites his finger, trying to push him away. The Alpha's response to force him down harder over the bed and releasing calming and submitting pheromones. Gao Tu's body doing it as well, enticing the Alpha further with his Pheromones, begging to be met with the response of a strong Alpha.

A groan comes out of the man over him. Caressing hands releasing even more pheromones, forcing him to stop fighting, pushing him down further into a submissive state. 

A warm nose and lips on his neck, teasing his scent gland and smelling the aroma as if he needed it, make him shiver.

"So sweet," confesses the man, drunk on the scent.

A single tear is Gao Tu's only response. Shen Wen Lang would never call him sweet, would never think he smelled nice. This is only a forced rut speaking, and it breaks something in him. 

The man over him, his boss. 

He would never touch him like this.

He would never want him.

It hurts too much, and it hurts even more how much he wants this.

Strong Alpha pheromones keep being released with each breath, keeping him pliable and ready for mating. The warm hands never stop exploring, touching every inch of him, removing his jacket, still unsure if the omega will try to flee again.

Gao Tu lets him, when he undoes his slacks, he lets him. 

He needs this so bad, the pheromones, his heat, the warmth of the body over him. He cannot fight anymore.

He surrenders.

The slacks are pushed down with a harsh pull, the Alpha growling over him now that he has won his prize, and he is sure the Omega will not fight. 

"All mine," The Alpha pulls his ear with his sharp teeth. "So pliant and pathetic."

He is caressed over his underwear, hands feeling almost soft. 

He is already so damp with the slick being produced for this very purpose. His body begging to be used for the first time.

"You're so wet already," whispers the man over him, a light nip to his ear trapped within his teeth. "I could just take you, and you would probably love it."

Gao Tu gasps at the thought of it. He has never done this, has never been touched before. 

This could hurt him badly. He has heard the horror stories. Has seen some of them.

He tenses, now suddenly terrified for his body instead of his heart and for his love's free will on this.

More calming pheromones get released, and he gets shushed with a peck to his neck.

"I'm no monster. "The alpha says as he pulls on his underwear so harshly that part of it gets ripped in his hand. "I will not cause you pain, you dirty thing."

The same fingers that are used to sign contracts, so elegant, so long, and capable, caress his entrance and draw a howl out of Gao Tu. He drowns it in a pillow, desperate to keep some control of this. 

Shen Wen Lang may be too gone at this moment, but he could still recognize his voice. He would not risk it.

One finger is pushed into him, slowly working him until one turns to two and then to three, having him rock his hips against his will at the rhythm the man is using to bring him into the kind of pleasure he had never felt before.

He had never dared to be touched, not by himself or someone else.

Too risky to let someone learn of his designation.

And feeling too dirty to allow himself to succumb to his omega instincts.

With a grunt and a wet pop, the fingers get pulled out of him, drawing a pain-filled sob fueled by the sudden emptiness.

He needs this.

He has always needed Shen Wen Lang, but now is like as if he will die if he doesn't get touched, if he doesn't get filled until he can no longer feel pain.

The intrusion hurts, more and at the same time less than he imagined. Wen Lang is too big, too thick, even after his fingers had briefly prepared him. 

Gao Tu tenses and cries out against the pillow. A soft and yet reluctant kiss placed on his nape, just below his scent gland, in response to the distress sounds coming from him.

It's too sweet for what he is feeling.

Almost too sweet to drown the pain. Both emotional and physical.

The Alpha caresses his hip and covers him with his pheromones again; he does not think the Alpha has ever used this much of them or in this calming way.

He does not move, allowing him to get used to it. Every inch slowly filling him as he had never been. It's too perfect, he does not deserve this.

As the man pinning him down is finally all the way in, Gao Tu feels the air punched out of him. He cannot breathe; there is only warmth inside of him and Shen Wen Lang.

Only Shen Wen Lang.

As the feeling completely covers his mind and his body relaxes on the instinct of being finally owned, the Alpha finally loses the little restraint he had left by allowing the Omega to get used to it, by violently snapping his hips back and fucking him in earnest.

That strong and powerful movement brings air back to his lungs as he gasps at the drag inside of him, making him gasp for air as it gets punched out of him with each thrust. The movements are sharp, on the edge of too much, pulling soft noises out of him that he drowns on the pillow.

The Alpha fucks him as if he needs it to breathe, the hands holding him down and touching every inch of skin available as if he will die without it.

Gao Tu feels the same.

It hurts. It hurts that it's so good, everything he didn't know he needed, and he will never have again. It hurts so much, it kills him that Wen Lang will never desire to touch him anywhere close to this.

A sting on his rear makes him yelp.

"Are you thinking of someone else?" The Alpha demands. His tone sharp between thrusts. "You trapped me here, and you are thinking of another Alpha?"

Gao Tu shakes his head. 

"No. Only you." He vows with tears in his eyes. If only he could have ever wanted another.

The S-class Alpha growls and buries himself even deeper, his movements more aggressive.

"You're going to take my seed, all of it until you burst with it." The man commands, and the Omega under him whispers, only able to take it. "I'm going to fill you with pups. Take it, you-"

Gao Tu only nods in the dark, his voice gone. At this moment, he will take whatever he is given, even the poison-filled words that the Alpha is spitting at him.

It is not even the first time that he has been insulted by him.

His hips get roughly taken by both hands of the Alpha, and he gets positioned on his knees, his face pushed into the pillows. Pleasure-filled sobs hidden between the sheets as his hips push back on their own accord now that he has some freedom.

He will feel dirty tomorrow, he will feel like the trash he is for allowing this to happen tomorrow; but tonight, only tonight, he will let himself have it.

Shen Wen Lang's movements grow ragged, more desperate. His knot starting to swell, to catch on the Omega's rim. He cannot help himself, he allows it, he offers his hips and pushes back, feeling himself tense and come just as the Alpha pushes his member all the way back in a harsh movement and comes. Filling the Omega under him with his seed.

Connected.

It's almost sweet, almost too much. It almost feels like love.

Almost.

Gao Tu blinks the tears away from the stimulation and the closeness. He had never felt this close to anyone, and to have this with Wen Lang…

He twists a little and looks at the Alpha behind him, face hidden between the darkness, but Gao Tu would always recognize him, feel him even before seeing him. His Alpha, at least for only this moment. 

As his heavy arms move, trying to regain control of his used body, he notices a sting. A bite on his shoulder, a mark. A temporary one. 

He tenses; he would have never forgiven himself if the Alpha had marked someone against his will in such a way. Not that he will even forgive himself for this.

Shen Wen Lang must have regained enough control to bite him away from his scent gland. His instincts ordering to claim, but not to bond.

Of course, they would never be bonded. Of course, he would never want him. Not even during a rut caused by a high compatibility that disabled his brilliant brain.

The Alpha hums against the bite on his shoulder. Licking it slowly, providing help for it to close sooner. "You taste so sweet."

Gao Tu shivers and turns his face away, keeping himself hidden even when knotted by the Alpha.

"You probably planned this, wanted me to mark you." The Alpha spits, sounding drunk on pheromones, the aggression temporarily gone. "His left hand sneaked under him and placed on his belly. Just when he is filled to the brim. "You are so full, you are going to stay that way until I say so."

With that, the Alpha gets on his knees and pushes himself back to rest on his back, the Omega forced to go with him by his arms, and the knot keeping them together. Gao Tu now resting on the warm chest now under him.

Most of his clothes are gone, except his shirt and tie; the Alpha is still mostly clothed.

As he slowly comes out of the heat-filled haze, the Alpha keeps him close, alternating between licks and deep sniffs to his scent gland. Not leaving any of his own scent on Gao Ty, but keeping himself fat on them.

"So nice," He confesses while devouring the scent gland, and Gao Tu feels like crying again. "Who would know something so sweet would turn out to be such a whore."

The cruel comment pulls Gao Tu out of the little afterglow he had been in, and he tenses, using his still weak arms to push himself off the Alpha.

It hurts; it's been only a couple of minutes, and the knot is still swollen and definitely not bugging, but he has to go. President Shen will soon regain full awareness and surely will know it's him.

He has to go.

Now.

Distress pheromones fill the room as he pushes himself away with his hands and legs, still too weak from their activities and his heat. But he must leave. 

Strong and toned arms embrace him and pull him closer as he tries to get away. Calming pheromones are being pushed towards him as he desperately tries to go. Even more powerful than the ones used before.

"Calm down." Shen Wen Lang orders, his voice tense. "You will only hurt yourself- Omega. Breathe, it will go down in a little while."

Gao Tu nods, his throat tight. He must go, but if he keeps struggling, Shen Wen Lang will not let go when it's time.

He would surely push for answers.

And Gao Tu is not willing to give them.

He nods again, partially drunk on pheromones, exhaustion, and the temporarily dormant heat that has receded for a moment while he is knotted.

"Stubborn," whispers Wen Lang as he steals another whiff of his scent. "Even juveniles know not to move when you are knotted."

Gao Tu lets his head rest on the chest under his back, temporarily giving up on his escape attempt. 

Getting his strength back and letting the Alpha in Wen Lang think that he has won, so the pheromones stop, and as soon as the knot goes down, he can leave is the only plan he has. But damn, he will make it work.

His arms feel heavy, his legs useless, and yet he tries to get a little more comfortable on the lap of the Alpha. His movements slow and confused even after getting matted. He thought that maybe his heat would give him a small break.

The man grunts, "I cannot trust you. " He caresses Gao Tu's neck, his instinct allowing the Alpha access to it. "Not even with your own safety. I have to do everything around here."

His tie which was no longer in place, gets removed, and with surprisingly gentle movements, his wrists are held and tied together, placed over his head. Resting on the bed as they wait for the knot to go down.

There goes his chance of escape. He had no chance with that Iris scent filling the room. Delivered just to have him relax and submit.

The new position is not as comfortable, and Wen Lang must think the same, as he is slowly, perhaps to not have him grow anxious again, gets placed on his side. The alpha hugging him from behind, keeping him close with one arm and the other holding the bound wrists to not have them hang in the air.

"Such a small waist," says the Alpha in a husky voice, as his hand explores underneath the shirt he is still wearing. "I could break you if I'm not careful."

Oh, how true those words are, and he doesn't even know. 

What he would do to be held like this in the light of day.

To not have his heart break in every little way every day.

As the minutes pass and the knot starts to deflate, he grows restless. He has to leave as soon as possible, but his hormones do not agree, as his body is made aware that the moment is done, it starts to fall into heat again, draging him under again. 

He knows the sensations, the symptoms, the curse by heart now. His body getting warmer, too hot, his mind working slower, his core begging for his Alpha.

He sobs.

A soft, yet painful kiss on his neck is placed on him as the knot finally goes down. The arms around him pull him closer, and he whimpers at the sensation of the member inside of him thickening again.

"One more time, little Omega," explains the Alpha, hugging him closer, mating pheromones permeating the air again, lost in his body's control again, in his instincts. But this time the Alpha doesn't use strength to keep him; he's holding more than restraining. It almost feels like a question.

He could leave, he could try again.

But he doesn't have the strength to do so.

Too much desperate and pathetic love to do it.

The slender hands bring him closer. He's kept snug against the chest in his back and gets impaled deeper with the thick member inside of him. It almost feels bigger.

One hand pulling him by his hip and stomach, the other holding his neck almost delicately.

"Gentle," whimpers Gao Tu. The alpha is big, and even though he prepared him, it had just been his first time, a rough first time, and one where he had just tried to run while knotted. 

He felt flayed alive, so tender. So used. "Be gentle, please."

He feels the Alpha nod against his skin, and slow and deep thrusts make him gasp.

He has nothing to hold onto, his fingers desperately trying to get anything in his grasp.

His desperate noises fill the room, as there is nowhere to hide them now.

It does not take long for the Alpha to quicken his movements, but he tries to keep them light. No longer pounding, his instinct to protect overriding the one to breed to claim.

It makes his heart bleed.

He would rather take the pain, the soreness of raw mating and instinct, than this. This that is so close to making love.

Almost what he wants to be happy.

"You can-" He gasps, desperate for release and to stop this longing.

He claws for air, and bites his lip, and the Alpha caresses his lower lip, stopping him from harm. 

Stop this. 

Please stop the care.

He does not deserve this.

Gao Tu licks and leaves a small kiss on the finger on his lips. Wen Lang gives a sharp thrust at that.

"Omega," He growls.

"You can- you, yes- faster," Cries the omega.

The hand against his belly pulls, and suddenly, he's being guided harshly on that thick cock. His Alpha's hips meeting his as he tries to catch up with the strong movements.

He is not allowed to move; only an Omega being used. And it makes it hurt less.

"So good." Confesses Shen Wen Lang against his ear, and he shivers at the compliment. "So good to me. so good for me, only for me."

He loses all ability to think and allows his body to be used, then melts at the Alpha's hand on his member. Allowing him to do whatever he pleases as the strong roll of his hips turns into relentless pounding.

He sees white, his entire body clenching in pleasure to the point of torture.

He comes to, to Shen Wen Lang nipping at his neck, soft kisses and licks all over it, but away enough from his mating gland to not have him worry too much. 

Well not more than he already was.

Sage and Iris pheromones danced together in the air, so intertwined they could be one and the same. Both arms of the Alpha still holding him close, as if he belonged there.

It's almost peaceful.

Almost

He floats, but in the back of his mind he knows this has to end.

He's so full, stuffed that he feels he will burst with his Alpha's seed and still tied to him. He had been so empty, he had never known how much he needed this.

Between deceptively sweet attention to his neck and soft pets all over his body, he allows himself to touch back.

Trembling hands attempting what he never allowed himself to want.

It's still dark, only the lightest trace of shapes distinguishable even with his eyes used to this, but he guides himself with touch. 

Strong chest and arms, a masculine and yet delicate neck, and such soft hair that smells like heaven. 

It's so good, he almost purrs.

Almost

At some point, the knot goes down, his brain so full of mating and calming pheromones that the idea of leaving does not even cross his mind.

He is so lost.

He's on his back, arms around his Alpha, and now familiar hands caressing his face. So drunk on each other, scenting to the point of being one in every sense of the word.

He does not even remember when the Alpha started scenting him, allowing Gao Tu to carry his Iris scent as well. At some point, his hands break free of the tie.

The Alpha cannot get enough of him, keeping his lips on his neck, licking and tasting and inhaling every trace of his scent available to him. This is heaven.

"I want you again, little omega," Confides the Alpha over him. Sweet breath falling on his face, making Gao Tu whimper.

He needs, by great heavens, he needs.

He nods, his body protected by his Alpha over him, yet he stretches, trying to get as close to those lips as possible. 

He needs.

He knows he is not allowed, but he needs.

Just once, only once.

He only gets to kiss a chin.

It's enough

Almost enough.

The Alpha sighs at the contact, his hard member being pushed back home again. He is sore, but he can take it; he will take anything.

Their lips meet for a brief second, and it is the best thing he has ever had and the hardest emotion as his eyes fill with tears.

The Alpha sushes him and calms him down with a clumsy and hungry kiss.

This time, his movements are slow, so slow and deep. The drag against his sweet spot so torturous, but he wouldn't have it any other way. It hurts. This is breaking him, destroying him in every atom that is a part of him, but this is what he wants.

He will gladly die after this is over if it means he gets to feel what being loved by Wen Lang is like.

Even if this is not love.

He's held by the chin, not allowed to move, barely able to breathe as the Alpha comes back and claims his lips again and again. Almost as if he wanted to eat him.

Gao Tu would let him.

Would let him do anything at this moment.

The pleasure is slow building, but ever present, the connection so deep he almost misses that at some point their free hands found each other. Holding on, creating a new connection. It is almost more intimate than the moments and touches they have shared tonight.

"Mine," admits the Alpha. His confession whispered between kisses. 

It sounds as much like a question as an affirmation.

"Yours" Confirms Gao Tu.

He is Wen Lang's. He has always been Wen Lang's.

He will always be Wen Lang's 

With another kiss, they finally find release together for the last time that night.

Soft rays of light wake Gao Tu. He's warm all over, and his body feels used in the best sense of the word, a firm and steady pressure all over himself. He feels safe, like he has not felt in years.

There are still pheromones from both of them all over the air, lingering over them, the clothes on the floor, and the bed. Still present, but no longer actively being spread.

He is so relaxed, floating until his brain finally manages to catch up.

Shit. He has to leave before Wen Lang wakes up; the sun is not up yet, but enough light has entered the room that he can clearly see his friend's features with barely any issue. If he can see, then Shen Wen Lang will definitely be able to recognize him.

Shit!

He pushes the heavy body lying over him to no avail.  He's only death weight with how tired he must have been after their– mating. After some muted grunts, and decided but slow rearranging of limbs, and using all the strength he has in his legs to gently but surely push the Alpha from him and run away, he freezes as he manages to lift him an inch or so.

He is still full. So full.

They are still tied together.

The knot has not gone down yet.

It is not possible. Gao Tu is sure that in the time he lost consciousness was at least half an hour, and that is at the least! 

Surely more than forty minutes with how he feels, he was not on his five senses, but the sky was still dark. Now the sun was almost up. This could not be.

He forces his body to relax, no distress pheromones out to wake the Alpha. Tension fills every inch of his mind, and he presses his eyes closed, hoping that it will go down soon enough. Before Shen Wen Lang wakes up and sees him.

Sees this.

Still, he keeps close attention to the Alpha's breathing and the member still inside of him. Ready to bolt as soon as he is able to.

How could he let this happen? Losing so much control over his body and going into heat in a public space, and so close to the Alpha. Heavens, this is a mess.

Minutes tick by, each one slower than the previous one, and it gets more difficult with each breath to keep calm. The son is practically shining over his face now. 

At least ten more minutes have passed since he decided that waiting was the only available plan. Fifteen, maybe more minutes, and the damn knot keeping them together will not go down.

Is this normal? He doesn't think so. He never heard of anything like this in health class, and even the previous knots from the night before had gone down in half an hour or so. Did he break Wen Lang? Is his hatred for Omega so deep that his body no longer works correctly?

He is going to get fired, and he is never going to see Shen Wen Lang again. And how will he take care of his sister's medical bills?

The arms around him pull him closer, and a warm nose rubs against his sensitive neck. He must be covered in hickeys. How will he hide all of this?

He swallows a sob at the tenderness and keeps his eyes on the ceiling, willing the knot to go down.

Breathe in.

And out

In and out

Just as he thinks he may be able to go soon, he feels and hears the Alpha still over him. He tenses, ready to bolt, but still unable to do so. In desperation, he covers his face with his arm. This can't be happening.

Shen Wen Lang may be blessedly blind on the topic of him being an Omega, but he is not that blind that he will not understand them together in bed, naked and tied together by his knot.

He knows when Wen Lang connects the dots of them together in bed, and the previous night, as a low, primal growl fills the room. Aggressive pheromones reach his nose even when covering it; he tries to make himself smaller, but with the Alpha still on top of him, it is impossible to hide.

"You filthy- and manipulative thing-" The Alpha starts, his voice like something he had never heard before. Something terrifying. 

Gao Tu's breath hitches in an attempt to silence a sob. His head shaking no.

"Yes, you did, " The alpha claims, and it hurts. The acid in his voice burns more than any of the putrid Iris pheromones assaulting his nose.

"Who are you?" The Alpha roars and pulls at his arm. He was ready for this; his arm was already tense, but it was hopeless. He is so much stronger.

Gao Tu let's go, finally giving up. He knew it would not last forever, but now he is losing everything. His arm gets pushed away and pinned against the bed.

It hurts.

It all hurts.

He gasps at the pull, his eyes looking anywhere but at the man he loves, who is now surely looking at him with disgust.

The aggressive pheromones and growling stop; it all stops.

"Gao Tu?" He asks.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Shen." He apologizes, still not daring to look at him in the eye. His eyes sting, but he will not cry.

"But you- the omega." He stops. "You are a–"

He feels more tears come to his eyes, but he refuses to cry. He will not play the victim. He will not manipulate him.

"I am that omega," He admits, his voice breaking, and dares to look back at him. His face is frozen between anger and betrayal. "I'm sorry, President Shen. I never meant for this to happen."

He wants to beg to explain, beg to have the alpha believe him. But he doesn't have the strength in him to do so. 

He does not deserve it.

The Alpha tenses above him, and Gao Tu feels the knot give a little. Too little too late, but it's almost there.

"You lied to me, you betrayed me just as every last one of them." He spits, his voice icy. Every part of him that had not been broken dying. 

He shakes his head. "No!" 

The Alpha puts pressure on his arm.

"Do not lie to me!"

"I am not! I did, I lied about being an Omega. I lied and pretended to be a Beta, yes.  But I never betrayed you!"

"Lies," his eyes are so full of betrayal and raw emotion.

He had never been like this.

He had been wrong; the coldness from him was so much worse than the ire that was there when he woke up and had not recognized him yet.

"I'm sorry"

"Get out of my sight," orders the Alpha. "Go!"

With a small nod and the little element of surprise he still has left, he pushes the man away and jumps off the bed on trembling legs.  Shen Wen Lang looks at him, stunned from the side of the bed he fell to as he clumsily takes his clothes from the floor.

He can feel fluids and all of the evidence of last night falling down his legs, but he ignores it. 

Ignores the shame.

His underwear is ripped beyond repair, so he just skips it; his pants get hastily put on. The shirt is missing a button, but it is still usable. He bends and it hurts, but he ignores it and grabs his coat and phone. 

Without even a last glance, he rushes out of the room. Not bothering to breathe or do anything until he is at least two streets away. 

He knows how he looks.

Filthy.

Still, he ignores the curious or judging glances thrown his way as he calls a cab with his phone, now walking slowly. At least he had a little battery left. It takes him a while; his screen is shattered, but at least it still works. Mostly.

It glitches.

The drive back to his house is silent and tense. The omega driver looks at him with understanding eyes, and he hates it.

He hates him.

He hates himself.

He hates that part of himself.

But it is not just a part of him, is it? Is the entirety of himself. He is an omega, no matter how much he ignores it. How many pills he takes or how much he injects himself with inhibitors.  

He is still an omega even when he tries to change it.

He hates it, everything. Everyone

But never Wen Lang

The next two days, he spends in bed, so distressed that he puts a small nest together. It's not good.

Its pathetic.

He has no practice with it, but is a little more comfortable than his normal bed.

A part of him worries about someone spotting it, but there is no point in hiding it now.

Shen Wen Lang knows now, and probably half of HS as well. He shivers as a sharp cramp hits him on his belly, and he hugs himself closer, pulling his ruined shirt closer. It smells just like the mix of Shen Wen Lang and himself. 

He doesn't have it in him to feel ashamed of finding some comfort in the familiar scent. 

The heat lasts barely more than a day and maybe a half. It's still painful and a little too much. But he is less warm than usual, and the aches take a little bit less out of him. He needs even fewer painkillers this time. He is still sore, so tender, but it is not painful; it's almost like a comfort.

He knows that the lack of torture in this heat is because this is the first and only heat he has spent with an alpha, but he does not want to look too much into it.

He gives himself two more days. He spends most of it visiting his sister, and even in a moment of weakness or strength, he looks for job postings online.

The pay from all of them are not even nearly half as good.

He knows he was fired. There is no point in ignoring it, but he would still like to go and pick up his things. Perhaps the Alpha is even waiting for him to quit so as not to be accused of omega discrimination.

He sighs, so bone tired and not ready at all on the fourth day. His lip is bitten and his neck is covered in red spots that he does not dare to name as love bites. His eyes close without his permission, and images from that night fill his mind.

For a moment there, for only a moment, he felt wanted. 

It almost felt real.

He felt– content with his designation. But not now, now being an Omega has brought him only pain to him and his family.

Gao Qing does not deserve what he has brought to her with his mistake.

His suit is clean and presentable as always. He wants to keep his pride, keep his head held high, even if he has been outed as an Omega. He was a good, loyal, and responsible worker, and he will not let them see him as anything else.

His designation will not take this away from him as well.

With a last look at the mirro,r he puts his tie into place and goes to the HS building for the last time.

He is surprised when he is allowed to walk through the doors, not even getting a second glance from the guard. No strange looks from people or the receptionists, he greets every morning.

He arrives at his desk and finds it just as he left it; a part of him believed it would be empty. Or occupied by someone else if Wen Lang wanted to make an example out of him. His coworkers greet him as always, no strange glances. There are even a couple of nice comments about being glad he is back.

He knows President Shen is already there. He feels his presence in the same way that he feels when his body is going to rebel against himself and go into heat. He is attuned to the Alpha after so many years of being by his side and loving him.

Well, that ends today; it has to end today.

He allows himself to sit one last time at his desk, long enough to sign the resignation letter and put it in its official envelope.

He adjusts his suit as he gets up and walks as straight as possible towards President Shen's office. He feels a little proud of not shaking or crying.

He knocks on the door and enters when the familiar voice lets him in. A part of him hoped he would be told to go away.

There he is, Shen Wen Lang. The man he has loved for a decade, and the man who has hurt him in every way, in that familiar suit he always wears with the deep blue shirt. He had always liked that one the most. Of course, he never told him that.

His hair is the same. He looks untouched by what happened that night. Of course, it did not mean anything to him.

The Alpha raises his gaze at him and tenses. They lock their gazes with each other as Gao Tu walks towards the desk. Each step takes so much effort.

"You are late," Scoffs the Alpha, his voice tight. "You are gone three whole days without notice and return when you please as if you were irreplaceable. I should demote you."

That stops him on his last steps as he is reaching the desk. Almost tripping in his confusion. Does he not remember it?

Some Alphas can be confused when in rut, but he was fully aware when he told him to leave.

Was he not?

He called him by his name. He knew it was Gao Tu.

"What, Secretary Gao? Will you not say anything?"

He only extends his hand with the envelope cradled between them. He tries to keep his hands and heartbeat steady, not showing any emotion now. 

He cannot lose even more now.

All that he has left at this very moment is himself.

And his sister, but he will not bring her into this.

The man rolls his eyes and extends his arm to take the letter.

He opens it with an annoyed look. Almost as if he was doing him a favor.

"What's this?" He asks and replies to himself. " A resignation letter?"

"Yes, President Shen, I am quitting effective immediately–"

"No." Interrupts the Alpha.

What? Does he want to fire him himself? He thought the man was disgusted, that he would never want to see him again. Now, he only looks at him with annoyance on his face. As if he were a child throwing a tantrum.

Does he truly not remember?

Did something happen, and President Shen lost his memories?

"No? But sir-"

"Are you stupid? I said no. You're not quitting." Says the Alpha while ripping his resignation letter in half, "Now go and bring me the report from this last bimester and my tea."

Gao Tu nods in a haze. The floor has been pulled from under his feet, and he has no idea where they are standing.

Shen Wen Lang would never let anything like this go... 

Does he really not remember?

A small pang in his chest is his only reply, and he nods. Turning to leave and continue his job that he apparently still has.

"And Gao Tu," Calls the Alpha when he has taken only one step towards the door.

He turns and watches the president of HS take something out of his desk. 

"Yes, President Shen?"

"You left this." The man explains, giving him back his glasses. His expression blank. His eyes almost bored. "You forgot them in your haste when you left the supply closet at X hotel."

He knows

Shen Wen Lang remembers that night.

Fuck.

Chapter Text

He remembers. 

Shen Wen Lang remembers that night.

He remembers they slept together.

Fuck

He remembers. It is the only thought that Gao Tu is able to process as he goes back to his desk to retrieve the report. His hands shake as he picks it up. Things seem slightly blurred, Glasses forgotten as he clutches them in his hand instead of wearing them.

He knows

He remembers

He knows they slept together

That he is an Omega

Everything that he wanted to cover, that he lied about, that he fought to keep buried, is coming out without his control. All because of a damn heat.

All because he is an omega.

Why has he not been fired?

The same repeating thoughts that keep filling him with dread and threatening to have his pheromones spill over are the ones that keep him going. A party of him wishes to just leave the resignation letter and bolt, leave and never return, but could he waste this chance?

The man he has loved for a decade has not thrown him away (Although he did so on that horrible morning), Shen wen Lang is keeping him as his assistant. 

Why?

He knows he is an omega.

He is everything he despises

Gao Tu tricked him into mating, and yet President Shen did not accept his resignation. It is too much.

With each step, all memories and thoughts keep spiraling out of control, just repeating themselves.  His pheromones are on the edge of spilling over, even with his normal dose of suppressants and a scent patch to be safe. He has to calm down. He has to get a hold of himself. Or else he will have to inject himsel,f and his body is still weak from the unexpected heat from just the day before.

He tries to repeat to himself to convince himself that things are fine as he places the report in a safe and dry place in the pantry. He hurries to prepare the tea as he always does. Boiled, not steeped. The muscular memory does help a little to regain control and breathe easier, but he is still on edge.

He stops on his tracks while pouring the tea. Shen Wen Lang didn't let him quit. Did he want to fire him himself?

No, he would have already done that if he wanted to. Or did he wish to do it in public? Make an example out of him for all Omegas? No, he could be cruel with words, ruthless even. But he would never arrange a public humiliation. At least he hopes so. Just this morning, he knew he had no job for deceiving the Alpha and hiding his identity, but now he is preparing the tea just as every day.

Everything is so confusing and an inch to the left of how he understood things before. How things were before.

His heart hurts.

His head throbs.

His core still feels tender with cvertain movements, he is sure that is more of his imagination, but still. 

Why does he still have a job? He is an omega, and his direct boss hates omegas. The CEO despises Omega. All omegas, well, all omegas except… Hua Yong.

But he is not Secretary Hua.

Why is he still here? 

He is a loyal employee, yes, and he is good at what he does, he tries harder to provide President Shen with what he needs, yes but he is not irreplaceable. Wen Lang has even told him so before. Then why is he still here?

With a small clicking sound that rings too loud in his ears, he places the tea set on the tray, takes the report under his arm to make it back to the wolf's den. It's not too late to give up. He could do it, leave, quit. But not only does his sister need him, he also wants to stay at his side, just a little bit more.

To see those brown eyes full of an intense determination, that confidence when speaking at meetings. How capable he is, and those brief moments of tenderness. Oh, how he lives for those moments.

He does not wish to return to the office right now; everything is still a mess in his head, and his heart aches. 

Why could he not just let him quit? He could take his time, check his emails first, but at this moment, going against his direct orders would only agitate Wen Lang's temper more.

He knocks, not wanting to provoke his boss by entering unannounced, and waits a couple of seconds for the reply to come in. It feels like an eternity. Did he change his mind? Does he want him to beg?

President Shen is taking a call, slightly agitated while clutching the phone. Gao Tu lowers his eyes, focusing on rearranging everything as his boss likes, not spilling the hot tea, and putting all of his effort into not interrupting the conversation. 

"Did you hit your head during the last rut?” The Alpha rolls his eyes. He almost drops the document; he misses the rest of the comment by paying more attention to what he is doing instead of in the Alpha’s conversation. 

When he is done, he has to remain put as the man signals him to wait.

"How is that possible?" huffs the Alpha at his phone. "It is just his tea; everyone else's tastes like shit."

Gao Tu blinks, the only sign that he is listening to the conversation again. Is it– is Shen Wen Lang talking about him?

"Whatever," interrupts the Alpha to the other person on the line. "Don't tell me how to run my company; go plot somewhere else. Goodbye," With that last comment, he hangs up the phone, a small grunt that sounds too much like lunatic leaving his mouth. His eyes deep in thought, and his mouth pulled into a thin line.

Gao Tu remains immobile, the report and tea between them. Shen Wen Lang doesn't look at him. He keeps on rubbing his temple and extending his hand to take a sip of his tea, not having to look for it, already placed just in the exact same place as every day. 

His muscles visibly relax after it. It allows Gao Tu to breathe a little bit more easily, knowing he is not in the same room as a ticking time bomb. At least for now.

His boss doesn't look at him as he asks for the report, distractedly typing on his laptop.

He takes a small step closer to the Alpha, not trusting to get closer yet, even when he is not visibly angry or when he doesn't smell like his sage scent. 

Better to keep the distance, He is not sure if it's for himself or from him. In the blink of an eye the Alpha reaches back and holds him by the wrist instead of taking the report that the Alpha had missed.

The Alpha's nose visibly searches for his scent, and Gao Tu tenses, preparing himself for whatever is coming next. Shen Wen Lang's eyes fully turning to him. His full attention on him now. He feels almost as much in the spot as when the Alpha had him pinned under him on the bed.

"Why don't you smell like anything?"

"I–" Gao Tu pales, not ready for this specific confrontation even when he knew it was coming. Perhaps he expected something else- insults, raised voices, getting fired, disgust, not this impatient question, "I don't–"

"You are still wearing suppressants, " Clarifies the man, even when Gao Tu knew. Now on his feet, the Alpha pulls him, the desk in between them, giving him that last sense of protection and distance, even with the hot hand holding his. 

Shen Wen Lang doesn't hurt him, but is still holding his wrist as if it had all of the answers. Technically, it does with a scent gland being there. "I know you are an– omega. Why are you still masking your scent?"

His voice rises slightly at the question.

"I have to." Replies Gao Tu while pulling on it.

He lets go. His eyes looking directly into his, determined for answers. 

"You got what you wanted. You tricked me, and you're still here, working. You don't have to hide it anymore. There is no point when I know."

He cannot help the heartbreak or the accompanying expression for it, but he tries his best to hide it as soon as he is aware his face betrayed him.

He does not want pity, or to confirm the suspicions of being manipulative, but at this moment he does think he has to explain. He owes him at least that after taking the choice away from Wen Lang. 

"It's not about you. I've been pretending to be a Beta way before I met you–, Sir."

The Alpha frowns. Confused, clearly assessing if he is telling the truth or lying, again. He lied for a decade; of course, he could still keep on lying.

He would have kept on lying if the Alpha had not discovered him in the morning. They both know that.

After a long heavy moment, he sat back. His hand signals that he sits as well. Not a suggestion. An order from his boss. And his Alpha, his brain supplies.

"Explain. Now."

He sits, his throat tight and his hands about to start shaking. He will not show weakness, no matter how difficult this topic is, his life is for him.

"I never wished to deceive you." He starts. "I have taken suppressants, hidden this since the very day that I presented. I never wished to be–"

He keeps his voice steady and his expression neutral. Ignores the intense gaze on him. focusing on a spot just beside the dark eyes that almost feel like home.

"My father, he– he spends it all in gambling, and my mother feared he would sell me to pay back his habits– just as he did her." He stops at the sharp noise of the teacup breaking when it hits the floor. He flinches and automatically gets up to clean.

"Leave it, " Barks Wen Lang, and Gao Tu just barely stops himself from flinching again at the aggressiveness coming from that tone. "It does not matter now. Continue."

He nods, his gaze down, and he sits back, now more tense than before. 

He does not dare to look into those eyes. "So I hid as my mother told me when she handed me my very first suppressor, she was right. I had to be a betta to survive." He gulps; it hurts. His chest, his ribs feel like exploding. Which ones were the symptoms of an omega heart attack? He never learnt them, only the ones for the Alphas.

Is he dying?

"I promised her to hide it, to never tell anyone ever. I pretended to be a Beta because I had to protect myself, and then my sister needed me, and I needed– this. You would not hire omegas, and she needs me, so I kept on hiding it. There was no other way."

He forces himself to look back into those eyes, to speak again. “I’m sorry,” He breaths deeply, fast to not allow the Alpha to get a word in. "So yes. I lied to you, I lied for a decade, and I am sorry for it, but it was not about you, I had to do it, to keep– this." Us. You. My sister, my sanity. He wants to say, but he won't; he will keep on lying. It started for something else, but yes, one of the many reasons he kept on this was to remain by his side.

He needs him even if it is killing him. Dying in all sense of the word.

President Shen looks at him without blinking, so intensely that it makes him dizzy. He scoffs. "I would have gotten over it." He huffs, taking a sip of his tea. "I'm not a toddler who throws tantrums over the smell of Omega."

He suppresses the urge to make any comment on it. Years and years of snide remarks about omegas, about his scent. His memories, his instincts, even dormant as they are, say otherwise, but he keeps quiet.

"I do not like them, but you are an employee with a good work ethic, and you make a decent tea." He clears his throat. "I will get over it."

Gao Tu blinks in response. Too scared to ask why he is allowed to stay. Is it because of Secretary Hua? Does he not want to offend him?

It is all too confusing.

He feels so lost.

Almost as if they were different people.

"So yes, I do not see any reason to have you still masking your scent."

"I mean no offense, Sir." The Alpha raises his eyebrow at the title. "But as mentioned, this is not just for your benefit. I do not wish to have the rest of the team or any other person in HS group or anywhere else aware of my designation, nor my father. Only my sister is aware of it."

The Alpha tenses. "I will not let any of my employees be sold. You don't have to worry about it anymore."

"But you hate Omegas," says Gao Tu without thinking.

"Yes," He admits again, and it hurts. More than it should for something he knew already. "But, no matter the designation of any employee, I will not let that happen. That is simply inhumane, no matter my opinions on an entire population. You have my word."

It does not make sense; the reality seems to have changed in every way he understood it, and it was so sudden, overnight. 

He knows, he truly knows that Shen Wen Lang is a good person, but still. Making this mess of a situation into a simple "I will get over it" is too much.

Why does he want to keep Gao Tu around? He is just a simple and broken Omega. Shen Wen Lang hates omegas.

"So that settles it. You will not wear scent blockers anymore. Wearing them long term is surely what is keeping you sick, and not a clingy Om– overbearing partner. I will not have my employees halfway through the verge of death, so that you cannot do your job. You need to be there, and your performance has been lacking, something so simple that a newly presented pup could do."

"But you hate my– my scent," He insists, his voice tight at discussing something about his unwanted biology. He does not know why he won't let it go. These are good news, and yet he needs answers, an explanation.
Anything. 

"I can deal with that. I'm not a child anymore." He says, sipping at his tea again and opening his laptop to start working, showing him he is done with this topic. "Your scent is not so bad now. After I had it–, close and with no suppressants is bearable. Surely it was Sheng's products that were making it so horrible. Stop getting them."

He feels himself flush at the mention of them being intimate, Wen Lang talking about it. He still cannot believe it sometimes, that they mated. And it was so good as it was painful. 

His mind immediately supplies that  hoarse whisper of "You smell so good." 

Confessed so many times over the darkness. 

He is so touched over it, over that small, almost tender comment on his scent after years of abuse that he does not dare to admit the suppressors he wore, and that bittered the small amounts of scent that managed to pass the inhibitors layer are Wen Lang's.

The Alpha stops giving him his attention and turns to his computer. "Go. You have much to do, your absence was not justified, and there are too many tasks that need to be done."

Gao Tu gets up and nods, dazed and confused. Touched and hurting in unison.

His heart and omega instincts being fed on the crumbs of the almost sweet comment.

"So no more suppressors. That's a direct order. Besides, it cannot be good for your asthma.I cannot have you not breathing and also poisoning yourself at the same time, it will only mess up next meetings, and you making me look bad."

He freezes as he is reaching the door. Pondering for a second on coming clean with it.

"What?" Scoffs the man.

"Those are suppressants as well." He admits, his gaze lowered. "I never had asthma, Sir."

With that, he leaves the room. Leaving President Shen with his mouth open is disbelief.

He sighs in front of the mirror. They were direct orders, yes. But he will not simply stop taking suppressants and masking his unwanted nature, just because the Alpha says so. 

He allows himself a scent patch, a replacement for later in the day, and only one pill before leaving. Another two, just in case, one injection for emergencies only, yes. He needs to have them with him, but only his minimum is too much.

That is a compromise, not that he thinks President Shen will still care that much. He will surely prefer not to be able to smell him. Still, with only a patch and one pill seems to be a little too little for him. He feels naked without it.

He gives a last look at himself; everything is the same, but he feels different. Why didn't Wenlang fire him? Perhaps the discrimination law could have been part of it, but he was trying to quit and was not allowed to do so; he still does not understand it. Quitting would not have affected him in any way. 

Is it for his image? Gao Tu wouldn't have said anything.

They have known each other for a decade, but the Alpha is not emotional enough to keep him around just for memory's sake.

It's all confusing, and why did Wen Lang claim to be suddenly fine with his scent now?

“You smell so good.”

He shakes his head, stopping any further thought from that night. The hickes are still there, but not as strong; he only covers the most visible ones.

Do not think about it.

Do not think about him.

He is allowed to remain in his secretary position, to remain by Wen Lang's side even while the Alpha knows that he is an Omega, and that is way more than he ever dared to hope for.

Public transport is as busy as always, nothing new about it, but as he is arriving at the office, a part of him is still expecting to be stopped at the doors, President Shen calls him. The shattered screen of his phone stops him from picking up the call, staying locked even as he scrambles to take it. The call ends before he is able to accept it.

He will fix this later, when he has more money.

He lets it go as he is already out of the elevator, making his way to his desk. Leaving his suitcase there and heading for the CEO's office to learn the motive of the call.

He knocks and enters, not even two steps in, and President Shen is already scowling at him.

"Why didn't you pick up my call? I pay you to be my secretary, and now you cannot lie to me, claiming you have an Omega that takes all of your attention in the company's time."

Gao Tu reaches for his broken phone and shows it to his boss. Ignoring the comment about lying having an omega. He deserves it. "My phone is glitching. It broke on– that night at X hotel, and I have not been able to replace it."

"You need your phone to work for me, Gao Tu. I need to be able to contact you at any time."

"I'm aware, Sir. I intend to replace it with the next paycheck."

The Alpha nods, a stern expression on his face.

The rest of the day goes by as usual. Documents, reports, meetings, and tea. He stays late to finish everything he got behind on the days he thought his life was over. It's tiring, but it's routine and something he is good at. It almost makes him feel normal.

As if the last week had never happened.

But it did.

They slept together

And Shen Wen Lang knows that he is an Omeha, and yet he still has a job.

As he is saving and printing the final version of the weekly report, a deliveryman walks to his desk. That is not as common, but from time to time, he does have to receive and sign packages; most are sent downstairs, but the important ones he gets directly.

He signs it, the label does say for Secretary Gao Tu, not for Shen Wen Lang or HS Group secretary department, which is odd.

As he picks up his things and the box, he walks to Wen Lang's office. He knows the Alpha has not left yet, even when most of the building is on their homes now.

This time, he does enter without knocking, as he tends to do after hours.

The Alpha is typing on his phone, leaning on his desk. The jacket of his suit gone, making his heart skip a beat. So into his zone, so confident. He cannot help but-

"Sir–"

"Yes, Gao Tu?"

"You have received this package," He explains.

The Alpha continues typing on his phone and just extends his hand to take it. Not bothering to look back.

He puts the phone away after a moment and scoffs when he sees the small box, and gives it back to Gao Tu.

"It has your name on it, Secretary Gao Tu. See?" He sneers." Did you not read it? Do I have to read documents for you now?"

"I am not expecting a personal package, Sir," He explains. “It must be for you.”

The Alpha rolls his eyes and takes away the box from his hands again, turning to open it, revealing a smaller, sleek box with the picture of a Cellphone on its front.

"Here," He shoves it back. "I don't have the time to wait for you to buy another."

"Sir, I cannot accept–"

"You can and you will. And you will not pay it back. I used the company's card to buy it, so it's not my money. Besides, it got broken because of what happened at X hotel, so here. ¨For a brief moment he feels the strong yes on his neck. 

“Have it, you need to do your job, and I will not wait for you to put your life together."

He nods, confused. Even if he paid for it with the company card, it is still his money. Still, he bites his tongue and decides to leave it alone for the day. Tomorrow they will talk about it.

The Alpha turns to fetch his phone and jacket and goes for the door, sending him a glance.

"Are you planning on staying or what?"

He shakes his head and follows after the Alpha.

Gao Tu remains seated with his back straight and his hands clasped in President Shen's personal car, every muscle tense, ready to fly.

The Alpha insisted on taking him home tonight, claiming the taxi would take too long.  He was fine with waiting, but the Alpha insisted, mentioning they had to go over a meeting.

"I talked to a friend," Says the Alpha, his voice measured. He turns from the window to look at Shen Wen Lang, his heart beating even faster than that night. "He mentioned something that I had not considered yet."

Gao Tu nods, worried but begging for this to end already.

"That night--" Shit. Every time they talk about it, his heart grows weaker. "You were in heat."

He nods; they had both been aware of this, which is why the Alpha lost complete control. What is he supposed to say?

"Yes?"

"Are you asking me?"

"No. Yes, I was in heat, Sir."

The Alpha sighs, frustrated. A hand rubbing his temple. "Do not call me that when we are talking about--" He stops. "I mean, you were in heat, and we did not wear protection."

Gao Tu feels himself blush, his eyes quickly turning to the driver in the front, who is focused on the road. Or at least he hopes so.

"Did you take the day-after pill?"

He feels himself shake his head.

Worried and close to frustration pheromones reach him before the words do. "Are you crazy or just plain stupid? I do not want to be a father–"

"I was in pain the two days after, " Interrupts Gao Tu, frustrated as well. He may have betrayed, not able to stop it, but he would never try to trap an Alpha with a baby. "I could not leave my bed for eating, and even less my home. Besides, as I explained, Sir, I have been taking suppressants since I presented. My reproductive organs are too damaged and underdeveloped to carry anything, so no need to worry about baby trapping."

The Alpha scoffs and crosses his arms in a childish way, making him wonder how he has remained so in love with this man for ten years.

They stay in silence, each one focused on their thoughts. The rest of the trip was tense as both men kept stubbornly quiet. Again, as he is lost in thought a soft and yet focused feeling pulls him back. Eyes in his neck. What?

"Was I too rough?" Asks the Alpha as they near his home.

"Sir?"

"You mentioned being in pain for two days. Did I hurt you?"

He finds himself shaking his head, his heart touched by the worry coming from the Alpha. A soft stream of worried and soothing pheromones being released. Too subtle, but still there.

"No, I–, it was fine. What I mean is my heats tend to be painful and too intense; it has nothing to do with you."

The Alpha nods, not looking fully convinced yet, but seeming to accept it.

The car slowly and smoothly rolls into his street, and Gao Tu removes the safety belt and opens the door.

He tries to convince himself not to offer comfort, to not ease his worry with those words, but his instincts are stronger. With Shen Wen Lang, he has never been able to put himself in first place.

"It helped. You helped the heat to not be as bad as it always is," He confesses, leaving the car and closing the door with a soft click.

He walks back into his apartment without looking back, too ashamed to see the face of disgust the Alpha surely has. One thing is for him to know opf his designation, but another to talk about his cycle.

He forces himself to stop thinking about it.

How can he repay the phone? Maybe getting the Alpha his favorite tea? But tea is not that expensive; it would take him half a lifetime to repay it with only tea.

He walks into his home, vaguely aware of the car still parked there by the time he closes the door. He looks at the cellphone box clutched between his hands. Brand new, high-end, he is almost sure he just saw a commercial for this new model the other day. Is probably newer than the one Shen Wen Lang owns.

Heavens, how is he going to pay this back?

The next three days go by as usual, and at the same time, they are completely different. Shen Wen Lang's snide comments and requests to his employees stay the same. But since the Alpha learnt of his status, he has not made any bad comments towards Omegas, at least not in front of him. He does not know how he feels about that.

However, there is something new. The Alpha sometimes looked at him, mostly while he worked and waited for something, but now it's different. That intense and unreadable gaze focused only on him one morning while he gets the tea ready. Sometimes only on his neck, others in all of him.  It's not because he is taking too long; President Shen would have already told him to hurry. 

He is just standing there. Watching him.

He comes back from a bathroom break, taking a second suppressant for the day, still a lot less than he took before, but more than the advised dose, when he finds the Alpha waiting in the hallway. Not using his phone or talking to anyone, just standing. 

"Is there something you need help with, President Shen?"

The Alpha shakes his head, his eyes unblinking and focused on him. As if trying to understand something.

Gao Tu lowers his eyes, feeling on the spot, he walks back to his desk. Rushing to focus on anything as the piercing gaze is still on him.

Shen Wen Lang gives him a ride home again. They remain silent most of the time. His attempt to offer to pay back the phone gets shunned again, and he leaves it for that time.

He feels those wolf-like eyes on him the entire rest of the ride. He feels hunted. He needs answers.

He is too scared to ask.

One of the Alphas on the same floor, Mrs Wang, brings cake to share in the morning. Her eyes bright and happy, her smile never ending as she announces she and her Omega are expecting. He congratulates her, just as some of his coworkers do as well. 

He hugs her.

They're not close, but in her happiness, she seems to be touchy. He allows himself to be held, only noticing how starved he has been for touch.

As he gets released and an Omega makes their way to congratulate the Alpha as well, he feels that tingling on his nape that is starting to feel familiar after only a couple of days.

He does not have to look back to know President Shen is looking at him again.

He feels like Prey.

He thinks about bringing it up for a moment, but every time he looks back, the Alpha is already looking somewhere else.

Is he imagining it?

If he is, then it is surely guilt.

After Mr. Sheng's actions against HS group, there is extra work to do during this week. Even more than usual. He stays overtime to finish what President Shen requested, having to deliver and pick up documents for him every couple of minutes, and go to his desk and type as well.

The Alpha scoffs. "Bring your damn laptop and work in my office, you are going to make me dizzy with all of that walking all over the place."

Gao Tu nods and brings his equipment. They work together in silence, each focused on their screen on each side of the desk. Is familiar.

Almost comforting.

He only notices the pheromones when his eyes start to grow heavy. Relaxing pheromones. They don't seem to be released on purpose by the Alpha. Almost like an involuntary reflex, just at the small smile on the Alpha's face at the moment, or when Omegas purr.

He gets up and excuses himself. Going straight to the bathroom.

The mild pheromones are not enough to send him into heat, but they do make his scent gland itch at the need to send their chemical response back. His body desperate for the Alpha, begging to be his.

But he is not.

He removes the scent patch and throws it in the trash, splashing cool water on his face and on the back of his neck, finally releaving his body of the sweet influence of the Alpha's pheromones.

It's as much a loss as it is a relief.

The new scent patch is laid on the sink as he brushes up his short strands to apply it. Not wanting to have it stick to his hair.

"You don't need to do that, Gao Tu" Shen Wen Lang's voice reaches him from the door of the bathroom. He walks in just to lean on the wall. "I told you you don't have to mask your scent anymore. "

The Alpha can be silent when he wants to. This time, he completely missed his presence, and it's terrifying.

"It's just a patch," He shrugs. "Besides, you hate Omega scents, President Shen. I am fine with wearing one, I have done so for years."

The man rolls his eyes and settles them on the ceiling. As if needing strength, "Yours is fine, not overbearing like-- others. Besides, I am almost ready to go home. I can deal for fifteen minutes, Gao Tu."

"You smell nice," sneaks back into his brain. 

He can't allow himself to think of that, to remember it.

Gao Tu shakes his head but makes no effort to place the new scent patch back home. Just this once.

Chapter Text

Gao Tu feels naked without the scent patch, too vulnerable. Too close to everything and everyone, as if any person could just know his secret by just looking at him.

The remaining effect of the suppressor he took earlier is now too weak; his scent will surely start coming out soon. Since he lowered the dosage, his body seems to be trying its hardest to breathe when given the chance.

It's too much.

Luckily, President Shen does not seem to mind the soft sage scent that follows him, or at least he has not made any remark or face at it. Still, he keeps himself without moving too much, without feeling too much, quiet. Still, he can still smell a thin trace of his scent from time to time. If he can smell it, then the Alpha is definitely able to do it as well. Still, Shen Wen Lang doesn't make any comment on it; he just keeps typing on his laptop.

That had to mean something, right?

Before, he trusted the Alpha to let him know if his scent was present, to express his displeasure at it as soon as it showed, but now, it's too different. He does not know what is true anymore. He doesn't know where they stand now.

Why is he still working here?

Why is he still allowed to be a secretary?

And why on earth is Shen Wen Lang insisting he stop masking his scent?

The document gets finished and printed, reviewed a second time, and signed. Finally, they are free to go. He rushes to get his things from his desk and return the laptop and tablet there. Eager to put distance between himself and Shen Wen Lang. It was fine, it was almost fine, almost peaceful. But his scent was just there; he was just so obviously an omega. He can’t. 

Is this some kind of test?

Is he trying to prove something?

Or could it be related to Secretary Hua in some way?

As he closes his suitcase, he keeps an eye on the door to the CEO's office. Still closed, still finishing something, perhaps.

Thanking life that Shen Wen Lang is still not done yet, good. The last thing he wants right now is to be in the confined space of the elevator or on the same car. He is not sure he could deal with being on a ride home with the Alpha and without a safety barrier like a scent patch.

Why did he listen to him? It was just so stupid of him to comply, but it just was so– nice. It looked as if he truly meant it for a second there. He obviously didn't, but for a second, he almost could believe it.

For a moment, he almost believed the Alpha could be fine with him being an omega.

His eyes seemed detached and yet honest, as if he truly did not mind the scent. But Gao Tu knows better; he had to learn this the hard way, the painful way that Shen Wen Lang hates omegas, that he despises their scents.

Too much, it will always be too much.

But at least for tonight, it's over. He thinks as the elevator doors slide closed.

He can take a break from focusing on it, overthinking every comment and reaction. He can stop thinking about it; he can finally rest. He knows he won't, but he can pretend.

Still. For tonight is over.

That is, until a strong and familiar hand gets in between the closing doors on the elevator just when an inch is left between the metal doors and his freedom. With that, the Alpha manages to get into the small metal room that he had believed was his saving grace.

He wants to scream. He wants to pretend he forgot something and return to the office, just to be able to leave on his own. He could try, but he doesn't think it would work in his favor; he never forgets his belongings. President Shen would not believe him.

Why couldn't the Alpha wait for the next elevator? Or use the other one?

Gao Tu suppresses the desire to sigh in exasperation. He is usually so glad to spend time with the man, just keeping him company, working, or helping with a task, but he truly never anticipated how anxiety-inducing it would be to just be without a barrier for his pheromones and the rest of the world.

It's fine, it will take less than a minute for them to arrive on the first floor, and he should be free.

The building is almost empty, only some members of security and the cleaning crew remaining, so there is no one else in the elevator. He is so thankful for that, as no one else will come in contact with his scent. No one will learn of his designation. Heavens, he was so stupid for letting himself be convinced not to wear the patch.

Only three floors remaining, and he sees movement on the edge of his eyes. He tenses. President Shen is only looking at his phone; he must have just taken the device from his pocket. Oh, it's nothing. He is on edge for something so simple.

He will be fine, only two floors left.

A small shake stops the movement of the elevator, and they both raise their eyes, looking for the source of this.

Was that a-

The small metal room shakes again, this time harder, and Gao Tu immediately uses his arm for support at the harsh movement shaking the room. He does not think he will fall, but everything is moving. A strong arm pulls him closer and keeps him secure and immobile. He turns his head and finds Wen Lang looking at the ceiling, concentrated on the vibrating room, his eyes focused on any reaction or movement of the elevator. He does not think they will fall, but still, they're trapped here during an earthquake.

The Alpha tenses, keeping his senses open and his body prepared for any reaction, his arm pulling Gao Tu slightly closer, but not reacting to it, almost as if he had not noticed his protective action towards his assistant. 

How could he not? Gao Tu can feel his heart beating like it will give up, surrounded by the strong body keeping him safe with his right arm above them, supporting himself and protecting their heads if necessary from any possible debris. And the other hand, the other hand holding Gao Tu by his waist.

His face feels warm. He is not sure if he is trembling or if it is the earthquake. 

He doesn't say anything; both are silent, trying to decide if another earthquake will hit. After a couple of tense minutes, the floor remains steady. The elevator does not fall.

With a gulp, Gao Tu takes a step back, putting space between them before the Alpha notices their closeness, and leaning down to pick up his suitcase, dropped in the confusion.

The Alpha walks away from him, focused on the buttons of the elevator.

He clicks on the lobby option, but the elevator doesn't move.

He sighs, frustrated, then presses the support button. It immediately connects them to the security personnel downstairs.

"This is President Shen. " Explains the Alpha as soon as they pick up, not allowing them to say anything. "Elevator number two is stuck. Fix it."

There is silence at the other end of the line for a brief moment.

"Apologies, sir. There was a small earthquake. It must have disrupted the elevator."

"OK, so? Fix it"

"They have to check the elevators before they can function again." Explains Gao Tu at the same time as the guard says so. He keeps a couple of steps away.

He released some pheromones from the earthquake.

Fuck.

"Yes, it's protocol for security. We cannot have them function until we are sure that no damage was done to the structure or the system. The doors cannot be openednat the moment either."

"It's stupid." Barks the Alpha, "Override it. It's an order."

"It's against the Law." Replies the security guard. "Only the technicians can do so."

Shen Wen Lang makes a face and kicks the door of the elevator. Thankfully, it doesn't shake.

"Mr. Shen, please." Begs Gao Tu, worried for the security of the machine they are both in at the moment. He turns to the microphone and presses it again. "How long will it take maintenance to verify it's working properly?"

"Around ten minutes," Gao Tu sighs, glad it's almost over. "But- all of the approved members of the maintenance team went home already. We are contacting them at this moment, but it will take at least half an hour to arrive. Only they have the code and are trained for the verification protocol."

Oh no

He thanks the guard with a strained voice, walking to the other side of the small room, keeping as much distance from Wen Lang as he can. The other man is leaning on the wall, arms crossed, and his face twisted in annoyance.

He is lucky that the Alpha is not looking towards him, and he takes the chance to silently open his suitcase and reach inside for a scent patch. Planning to apply it discretely while the man is distracted. He cannot stay in this confined space without any barrier between him and the Alpha for half an hour.

He can't.

He already lost control once during the earthquake. He cannot risk it again.

He looks at the small compartment within his bag for where he discreetly stores the patches and other suppressants. He doesn't find them, just an injection. 

No worries, it must be in another place. Maybe they slipped out.

He continues sliding his hand in the suitcase, meticulously looking for it by touch only. Taking his time moving his hand between documents and various objects to find it without attracting attention. He cannot find it; he looks again, and again.

Is not there

It has to be there

Shit, did he forget it in his desk?

He should have, maybe in his haste to leave before Shen Wen Lang, he must have forgotten to place them back.

He checks in his pockets just to be safe. Empty except for his phone.

He checks again.

He checks again in his suitcase as well, both hands now scrambling in it, this time using his eyes as well. There has to be something, a pill, a patch, maybe a spray.

Something

Anything

He always keeps an emergency kit in his desk and on his suitcase as well, but today- fuck, he forgot it.

His breathing grows ragged, and he turns, no longer staring discreetly at Wen Lang, no longer caring to keep quiet, leaning the case on the elevator wall to look for it.

"Gao Tu?" Asks the Alpha, turning to him with mild curiosity, tinted with a slight annoyance. "What are you doing?"

He doesn't reply. Looking for a third and then a fourth time for anything. There is not, only the injected inhibitor, there is no other choice.

He slides to the floor.

He never wanted to be weak in front of him, to look needy or parade his omeganess in front of the Alpha, to shove it in his face, but there is no other choice. 

He has always had to make hard decisions for the Alpha. This is nothing new.

"Gao Tu?"

He shakes his head, and with shaky hands, he reaches for the metal box with the inhibitor. It is strong and painful, and too much for this moment, but he needs it. No matter how his doctor had been delighted with him, at least lowering the dosages and going for less strong products.

He is vaguely aware of distress pheromones coming out of him, but it all gets drowned by the beating of his heart.

No matter how better he has been feeling the last five days, he has only been taking his minimum, two a day (still above the recommended dosage, but so much less) and not injecting, and avoiding his inhaler. It doesn't matter how far he has come; he needs this.

On his knees and with the case open on the floor, he fights for the properly closed box with trembling hands. He opens it.

He almost feels better at the sight of it.

Almost

"Is that–"

He takes the siringe out and cradles it like a gift in his pale hand.

It gets taken out of his hand in a fast movement before he can react, and suddenly it's being crushed underneath the Alpha's expensive shoe. He gasps, his breath freezing in his lungs. Just as suddenly, the vial is also being taken out of its packaging and crushed as well. 

He screeches. A sound he had never made before.

He doesn't have it in him to feel self-conscious about it, too desperate to focus on it.

"What are you doing?" He half screams, desperation clawing at his lungs.

He half crawls on his knees to his destroyed salvation and sobs in distress. Distress pheromones quickly filling the small room. It smells like burnt weeds.

The Alpha pushes the small pieces of glass away with his foot and gets on his knees as well when he spots the sorrow on the Omega's face.

"What were you thinking, Gao Tu?" He hisses, his eyes too wide. Both hands on his shoulders, "Are you stupid? Injections for emergencies only. Are you trying to kill yourself?"

"I need it," He sobs, almost no air reaching his lungs. His head hurts, feeling too full and empty. His arms and legs feel tingly. It aches.

"You don't. It's fine," explains the Alpha, his voice rough. He almost doesn't notice the soft stream of calming pheromones being sent towards him. "It's just scent."

"You hate it," Cries the Omega.

He hates it; He always has. 

His mind has not changed. Gao Tu knows that.

His scent is horrible, not sweet like others, and yet too Omegan, he cannot have anyone smell it in this small space, and even less Shen Wen Lang.

It has been so confusing, but also so nice to have Wen Lang almost accept him. He cannot go back.

Not again. 

The Alpha freezes for a second, his hands tightening on his shoulders and then pulling him closer into a tight hug.

It's so sudden, so new and unexpected, it pulls Gao Tu out of his desperation. Strong and warm arms holding him close, soft and relaxing Iris pheromones filling his nostrils as he is pulled closer to the source of it.

He had never been so close before- except for that night.

"I'm sorry." Says the Alpha, surprising him even more.

Gao Tu turns to him, confused out of his stupor. Did he lose oxygen flow to his brain, and he's hallucinating now?

"For saying all of those things. It's not bad, it's– it's actually nice."

Gao Tu shakes his head. Is not true

It's not

"You don't have to lie, Mr Shen."

The Alpha pushes himself back, looking him in the eyes. His expression stern and full of conviction, as when he decides he will get a deal for HS group, "I am not, it's nice. I like it, Gao Tu, fuck I do," He confesses.

You smell nice. Fills his head again.

But it cannot be; it was the Rut talking.

He is left speechless. His body feeling weak and confused.

The Alpha scoffs and looks to the other side of the room. Looking like a scolded child that is being forced to apologize.

"I was rude, and you do not deserve it. Your scent is fine, Gao Tu. I'm– sorry I made you feel like it is not."

He nods, his eyes feeling dry without even crying. His throat burns.

Shen Wen Lang looks honest, as if he believes it. But he had said– before. All of those years of those comments. He cannot just erase them, no matter how hard he tries.

He cannot have changed his mind just like that.

Heavens, he is so pathetic that Mr Shen has resorted to this to calm him down

He nods, unable to look into his eyes.

Needy

He is so needy, just as Mr Shen knows Omegas are.

He has only proven his right.

He shrinks into himself, trying to disappear and get away from the hug. 

They are too close, way too close for his heart that is already bleeding. For a heart that's been slowly bleeding out for the last decade.

The Alpha looks at him, his eyes confused and directed at him as Gao Tu keeps his distance.

So close.

Not close enough.

"Do you believe me?"

Gao Tu nods without looking at him.

The Alpha sighs loudly.

"Bullshit. You know how to lie, you did it for ten years, and I never suspected, you can do it better."

Gao Tu raises his head and finds the Alpha sitting with his back to the wall, his hand in his hair. Has he ever been like this?

He is the worst secretary, only bringing stress to the Alpha.

"Fuck this. Of course, your scent is nice, Gao Tu. You're the only person who has ever made me lose control in my entire life. There is a reason that we fucked. Want to know the truth? Fine! It was because I liked how you smelled, I couldn't get enough even when I knew it belonged to an Omega, happy?"

He scoffs and hits the floor of the elevator with his foot, as if Gao Tu had forced the confession out of him. 

In a way, he did.

All he does is force the man.

But he said he wanted–

"What?" Asks Gao Tu, feeling his face warm. "But you said–"

"I know." Hisses the Alpha and rests his head on the metal with a tud. "I was, fuck you're my friend! And I hated the idea of sharing you with anyone! I thought some random person would just take you away, and you would– leave. I hated that scent in you because I thought it belonged to someone else. I hated it in you, but not the scent. It's nice."

You smell nice.

They both stay in silence.

Gao Tu slowly extends his limbs, no longer trying to make himself smaller. He turns to Wen Lang, his expression neutral. But not his unreachable one.

Gao Tu takes a breath, gaining courage. If the other man was vulnerable, then he can be as well.

"I will not leave you, Wen Lang. I still think of you as a friend as well."

He sees the Alpha nod from the corner of his eye. He does not reply; at this moment, Gao Tu prefers it that way.

Both way too exhausted by this conversation.

Minutes pass by in silence.

The panel from the wall rings, and a new voice comes out. Explaining that the maintenance expert and a fireman have arrived and that they will start the process now. Soon they will be released.

"Thank you," whispers Gao Tu to the microphone.

"Thanks," Mumbles Wen Lang as well.

He adjusts his crooked glasses. He is so tired, wishing to just be home, and turns to the floor.   

Half of the documents in the suitcase and his belongings are sprawled there from his desperation, and he leans down to clean it, organizing each of them before placing them back.

Wen Lang surprises him once again that day by helping him put everything back. He just hands him the things that are farther away, but it means so much.

Why has he changed so much in the last ten days?

As they are done, he spots the small pile of shattered glass, syringe, and the liquid from the inhibitor. He looks for a piece of paper he can use, and he rips it in half. He takes a pamphlet from a family restaurant that an old lady gave him earlier to clean up.

"Leave it," says the Alpha when he understands what he is doing. "The cleaning crew will take care of it."

Gao Tu shakes his head, "Anyone can get hurt from it. I'll remove the bigger pieces at least."

The Alpha shakes his head and extends his hands. "Give it to me, you can cut yourself."

Gao Tu ignores him; he's decided to keep himself useful and keeps pushing the glass with the paper into the other half of the pamphlet. The other man takes it away from him as soon as he is done.

The only sign of hurt coming from the Alpha is a small frown, a second there and then gone. Gao Tu ignores the thought of telling him I told you so and looks into the Alpha's hand.

"Sir? Did you cut yourself?"

"I am fine." Gao Tu frowns. "It's just a cut."

He turns back and takes the small first aid kit from his case. He takes the disinfectant spray and a Band-Aid out. A hidden suppressor pill rolls out from the Band-Aid box. He suppresses a sigh.

A little too late now.

"Let me, please," Asks Gao Tu, showing him the supplies. The S-tier Alpha doesn't need it, he will be healed soon enough. But he feels guilty.

It was his inhibitor that caused this.

The Alpha lets him and extends his hand. It's only a small cut, not deep, it will heal soon, but still, he worries.

Even with that speed healing, he does not want to risk infection. He holds the bigger and softer hand in his own, and he starts to take care of it. He feels that now familiar and strong gaze focused on him now. They had never been this close for that.

He cleans it carefully and places the band-aid.

"Done," He takes a step back, raising his head as he walks away, and is met with those predator eyes focused on him.

Is this the first time he has caught him stating?

"It should heal well," Explains Gao Tu, unsure of what to say. Pinned to the spot.

"You did well, Secretary Gao." Says the Alpha as he takes a step closer. His eyes not blinking focused on him only.

The elevator slowly, but surely starts descending, and Gao Tu takes a step back. They had been so close.

So close.

The Alpha straightens behind him.

The elevator stops, and the doors silently open, and they are greeted by three people waiting for them. 

He is so thankful that both the maintenance expert and the guard are Betta. The pheromones released from the room when the doors opened won't reach his coworkers. 

They will not know.

Small blessings.

However, the fireman is an Alpha, but hopefully, he will not see him again–

The elevator stopped a meter away from the ground, so they have to crouch from the ceiling and jump to get out.

"Apologies," the expert says," we wanted to let you out sooner, and we have not checked the base resorts yet, but it will be fully fixed by tomorrow if necessary."

President Wen Lang huffs and nods and signals for Gao Tu to get out first.

The Betta expert kindly reaches for his suitcase, which he is holding while leaning towards the open doors, and the fireman offers his help to Gao Tu. Is not that high, but he is so weak at the moment after all of the emotions that he accepts the strong Alpha's hand offering support.

The man smiles warmly at him.

He thanks him, eager to be free from the confined space.

"Anytime, Sir. I'm glad to help."

The firemen were not necessary, at least not that he is aware, but he is thankful for them.

The tall Alpha lets go of his hand and arm until he is fully safe on the ground.

The fireman turns to offer help to President Shen as well, but the Alpha ignores him and jumps down smoothly, taking Gao Tus's suitcase from his employee, who was still holding it, and walking out without saying goodbye to anyone.

Gao Tu rushes his thanks and goodbyes as he hurriedly follows his boss, who is carrying his case with his things and keys to his home.

It's Sunday, and he has used the weekend to clean his apartment. He asked for Monday off to accompany Gao Quing for a relatively small procedure, and he wants to tidy up his things.

He did not plan on going out today, so he is only wearing a scent patch and nothing else. 

It's weird, too vulnerable. But he is alone, and he does not have to mask his scent.

He still does not feel comfortable with his scent out, and he will not let anyone get a whiff of him being an Omega, but now that Shen Wen Lang knows, it's so much easier to hide it from everyone else. He does not spend as much time with them as he does with his boss; only a patch and perhaps one pill a day is more than enough.

He has to admit, he has been feeling better without them lately.

He doesn't know how to feel about it.

He lets it go for now.

He opens the fridge, ready for lunch since he didn't have breakfast yet, and finds it almost empty. He guesses maybe it's time to get something. 

Should he take something to further mask his scent to go out?

Perhaps not, it will be less than half an hour, and today his system has been feeling so much better than usual. He settles to check on the patch he was already wearing and to spray himself with a scent neutralizer, which helps, and it's not too harsh. 

He leaves it on the table.

He walks to the store and buys a small amount of groceries, just the minimum.

On the way back, a probably lost tourist riding a bike throws a half-empty water bottle down the road, and it splashes on him while it falls. He cleans his glasses of the droplets. Most of it is on his jacket, but he can feel part of the cold liquid being absorbed by his shirt. He will remove it and have it dry when he comes back.

It doesn't feel nice on his skin. At least the weather is not cold yet.

His phone vibrates with a Message from Shen Wen Lang.

Wolf of Wolves

Where are you?

Straight to the point as always. He stops on the side of the stairs up to his apartment to reply.

User

Home.

He puts the phone away and continues his trip back to the top floor as the phone rings now instead.

"President Shen. Is everything okay?" He asks. Did something happen? They just saw each other on Friday.

The Alpha grunts on the other side of the line. "I'll ask you only one more time, where are you?"

Gao Tu shakes his head, confused. Gripping the small bag with groceries and the phone with the other hand, he turns the corner to his home.

"I am home, President-" He stops, the Alpha is at his door waiting for him. He greets him.

They both hang up when spotting the other.

The man had not visited him since he found out he was an omega, not that he visited much earlier, but definitely not since the discovery.

He is so thankful he was wearing the patch that day. Not wanting a repeat of the elevator science he caused. 

"Will you let me in?" Asks the man, but it feels more like an order.

Gao Tu rushes to open and let the man in; he is vaguely aware of the scent neutralizer spray on the table, but he allows himself not to draw attention to it. The Alpha has not spotted it yet, and putting it back into place will only make him notice it.

He leaves the groceries in the kitchen and offers a seat and tea to Shen Wen Lang.

"I thought you didn't have any tea," Says the Alpha.

"I stocked up since I didn't have any tea for you last time." He explains.

The Alpha looks pleased, and his pathetic inner omega preens at the approval. So eager to make the Alpha's life easier.

He turns to prepare the tea as he discreetly removes the soaked jacket and hangs it to dry. The Alpha places a takeout plastic bag on the table. He had not noticed it yet.

"How can I help you today, President Shen?"

The Alpha starts taking things out of the bag.

"I have a business meeting next week."

"Yo mean the one with the British?"

"Yes, I wanted to try the menu of this new restaurant before taking them." 

Gao Tu nods. The Alpha has never done so before, but this meeting is important and perhaps he does not want the meal to be too different from what those businessmen are used to.

"I brought some for you too, so I can get your opinion. We can eat together now. Keep the leftover, you are too thin, I could feel your bones."

The casual meal offer and the comment on his body distract him for a second, and he accidentally spills some of the hot water on his skin, not too much, but it burns.

The Alpha is immediately on his feet, checking on him, but he promises that it's nothing, turning to place his damaged skin under the cold weather of the tap.

It immediately makes him feel better, and he swallows a sigh at the relief the water brings. He turns to the Alpha, still standing close to him. He is worried, his brain supplies at the pheromones he manages to catch. Soothing and protective at the same time. It cannot be, but the pheromones prove it.

It's just instincts. Gao Tu reminds himself, even with how much he hates Omegas, his Alpha instincts want him to protect, so that's all. 

That's all.

He is probably not aware of it.

"Better?" Asks Wen Lang.

He nods, already tired of the day, and he has not even had his lunch yet.

The Alpha stops him, a tense hand on his shoulder, and he follows his gaze to where it's placed. His old shirt is slightly damp and has a couple of big holes from years and years of use. That is why he always wears it with the jacket on. 

There is nothing weird with it that would make the Alpha pay attention to it.

He freezes, catching a hint of dark red underneath the ripped fabric.

The bite.

He had almost forgotten that the Alpha had temporarily marked him on his shoulder. He tried so hard not to look at it, to forget how Shen Wen Lang had almost–

It hurt too much to think about what-ifs.

The bite was almost healed, just some scabs left on it, it will not scar, and it will be fine.

The pheromones change from Soothing and a timid worrying to luring pheromones that scream mate and ownership so fast it makes him dizzy.

"Mine," Growls the Alpha. His eyes so dark that Gao Tu feels his knees grow weak. "Mine to claim."

Oh no

He will not do this again, he will not have the Alpha lose control on him again, he has to remain strong for both of them, no matter how hard those words hit home and make him want to bare his neck.

Fuck

Slowly, oh so slowly, he steps away, not wanting to trigger the hunting instincts of the Alpha, he learnt it the hard way that night at the X hotel. Being so careful that it's not obvious he is trying to get away. It's almost impossible. With every step, he puts distance between them, while avoiding breathing any more of the pheromones. The Alpha takes two steps towards him.

His back hits the table, and the Alpha leans in and sniffs at his neck, trapping him with both arms, between the sturdy furniture and his body.

Oh, how he wants to surrender, but he will not make the same mistake twice.

"You smell so good," purrs the Alpha. Not an Omega purr, but a possessive one.

Gao Tu nods, distracting the Alpha by taking his head between his hands, guiding him closer, and just as he knows the Alpha is about to dive in to kiss him, he sprays him with the scent neutralizer. He uses so much of the product that his hand cramps from the uncomfortable position.

It's not that strong for that situation; a suppressor is probably better, but he doesn't have that in hand. Still, the surprise element is enough to stop the Alpha and for Gao Tu to leave his apartment and allow the Alpha a moment to calm down, and the Omega to be away from all those pheromones that were just about to start his heat at any moment.

They probably will; he will probably be in heat by the end of the day.

The food grows cold, and the Alpha texts him asking where he keeps the suppressors. Gao Tu sends him the instructions, and when the Alpha has calmed down, they both eat outside his apartment in silence. The door and windows open to clean it from the desperate pheromones still there.

Shen Wen Lang leaves an hour after that, and Gao Tu sighs tiredly. 

He wears a facemask and takes his time spraying his apartment to neutralize the remaining pheromones. He likes the scent, but it is too risky. He can already feel himself slip into heat.

At least it's a small one. He should be fine by the next day.

That is not common, but he will not complain.

'You smell so good' manages to sneak into his head.

The Alpha said it again. 

He wants him. 

It's just instincts. It's just that.

Just instincts.

Just compatibility controlling his brain, and yet...

He sighs, frustrated as his body starts producing a very small amount of slick, and yet more than usual for when he is not in full heat. 

It seems that miraculously, this heat won't be painful, but on the downside, his body wants to be touched. 

It craves for an Alpha. His Alpha.

But Shen Wen Lang is not his.

He can almost remember how good it felt to be so full.

He can't. Not again.

He hates being an Omega. Why does he have to deal with this?

A knock on his closed window stops him from the hate spiral he was leading towards, focused on his complicated feelings of his nature and designation.

Shen Wen Lang.

He is back

Chapter Text

Gao Tu walks away from the kitchen counter where he's leaning, his eyes focused on Shen Wen Lang. He came back. Why?

With slow, measured steps, he walks so reluctantly to the kitchen window. His instincts are screaming for him, but he must remain guarded. 

A shameless part of his brain is purring. Alpha is back. His Alpha is back. But not his. Never his.

The window is thankfully closed, protecting each other from those potent pheromones that seem to be compatible to a worrying degree. He takes a deep breath before opening it barely an inch, just enough to talk. He will not risk the Alpha getting any access to his in-heat scent again after how he went into an almost rut, in a feral state, when he spotted the mark. Even with this small of a heat. He also cannot just start smelling the alpha's pheromones when his body is already in this state. He worries about what he would do; he would probably beg and show his belly and roll like a cat in heat just to present himself to the Alpha.

Technically, he is almost a cat in heat. His mind supplies.

At least is not a full heat. Can it still be considered one when he is mostly aware?

He had never seen the Alpha in a feral state; he didn't believe that Shen Wen Lang of all people could fall into it. 

He still cannot believe it, how the Alpha had lost so much control of himself. And over a temporary mark. He had always kept such a tight control over himself. His brain reminds him how the Alpha had affirmed his scent had been the only one to make him lose control.

But no, it couldn't be. Gao Tu is not beautiful or graceful or like any of those omegas that can make any person get lost in the haze of pheromones. His scent is not even sweet. But Shen Wen Lang has been so insistent that it's good…

"Gao Tu-" Says the Alpha, his hands holding to the window bars as if he could slide through them. It looks like support as much as if he wanted to rip them away and climb in. He has never been scared of the Alpha, but he truly feels as if he were the prey being hunted by a wolf.

"President Shen, what are you doing here?" He is proud of how steady his voice sounds.

The man looks half-crazed, his hair a mess and damp after a shower probably; he doesn't smell like rut, or like the luring pheromones from earlier, but he is not able to smell much with that small space he opened from the window. 

The Alpha closes his eyes and leans his forehead on the glass. Gao Tu inhales some of his scent to gain context, or at least that is what he tries to tell himself. It smells like pure desperation and raw wanting, but not Rut. His brain stops working for a second, so high on those emotions being broadcast to the entire world to smell. 

"I want you." The man breathes out as if it hurt to keep it in. "Fuck, Tu. I cannot stop thinking about touching you since that night at X hotel, and it's getting worse. I can't fucking stay away, it's driving me crazy."

It can't be, he didn't want that. He didn't want him. Why would he be–?

It must be the Rut talking, he sniffs again just to be sure. Discreetly opening the window an inch more. Thankfully, the wind and luck are on his side. It pushes the Alpha scent in and keeps the Omegas from reaching the other. Yes, there is no rut, there is desire, yes. But not biological lack of control or need to drive his body.

"President Shen, your system must be confused with your instincts. I'm sure you will stop thinking about it once your pheromones settle from that feral episode; it will pass."

The Alpha is asking, but it cannot be, he will not make the same mistake again.

He can't.

The Alpha shakes his head, his knuckles going white with the strain on the window bars. He worries for a moment that they will bend with that S-class Alpha strength, but they are stronger. At least he hopes so.

"I know what I'm feeling, Tu! I'm not a damn pup getting horny from every damn scent–" He stops and takes a deep breath. "I got an inhibitor before coming here- a mild one, and this is me talking, not my instincts."

Gao Tu must look unconvinced as the Alpha adds, visibly frustrated "Well, it's my instincts talking, but I made the choice to come here. I want you, Gao Tu, just as much as before I got that shit in my system. Just this once."

He shakes his head. He feels he is being burned alive, flayed alive. Tempted with what he has never dared to want. 

Is this a test? To know he is not a scheming Omega like he believes all of the others to be? But no, he wouldn't, and those pheromones– his knees buckle with another hit of them.

He wants. Oh, how he wants, but it cannot be.

Shen Wen Lang does not want Omegas. Except Hua Yong...

Could he maybe want him as well?

No. He will not be weak.

Never again.

"Goodnight, Mr. Shen."

"Wait. Gao Tu, wait. I'll make it so good for you, fuck, I swear. If you don't want me after everything I said, it's fine, but I'll make it good, I promise."

He steps away from the window. "Please ask someone else, President Shen." The words burn in his throat and in his eyes.

The Alpha shakes his head, his hands pulling on the bars desperately. The scent grows stronger. Pure Iris and want.

"I don't want anyone else. I want you, Damn it, Gao Tu. Believe me." His voice settles. "I'll make it so good for you. Open the door, please, Tu."

Did he just say please?

He did.

He can't do this, be weak for the Alpha. Never again.

He closes the window and covers it with the curtain.

He has always been weak, like Omegas. But, oh how he wants.

And Shen Wen Lang doesn't want him.

Except maybe he does. At least for tonight.

Never again.

Almost never again. 

Gao Tu pulls the door open before his brain can work logically again.                                  He finds Shen Wen Lang resting against his closed window. Looking almost defeated. He has never looked like that before.

He opens those eyes that make him so weak, and the Alpha spots the Omega at the door. In the blink of an eye, he is in front of him, entering the apartment and pushing the door closed. Gao Tu steps back and into his apartment, unsure if he just signed his death warrant. The Alpha slowly walks up to him. He never shows him his back.

He walks back until his back hits the bookshelf.

The Alpha immediately traps him, a hand immediately wrapped around his waist, and the other resting next to his head on the bookshelf. He closes his eyes. 

Did he make the right decision? Was this ever a decision at all?

"Fuck, your waist. I couldn't stop thinking about it." The Alpha growls, his nose caressing his cheek and neck. He sniffs him, and Gao Tu trembles with want. "You are in heat."

He nods. "My body is still deregulated from the pheromone disorder. Not full heat, but almost."

The Alpha leans closer and nibbles on his ear. He gasps and finally touches back the Alpha,  hands on his chest and arm. He can't help but notice how the alpha's mouth and teeth never seem to settle when they are togeth–

Stop. This is not a thing. 

One-time thing only.

"Good thing I took the inhibitor, I wanted to be in control tonight." His eyes harden just a fraction. "You're still wearing that damn scent patch."

It has almost run out as it's the end of the day. He was going to remove it in the shower before going to bed. Hopping the water would help with his heat.

"I want to smell you." The Alpha growls in his ear and lightly bites over it. He whimpers. They have not done anything yet, and he is making those sounds already. How desp–

They don't move. Shen Wen Lang doesn't move. Is he waiting for permission?

Gao Tu nods, not knowing what to do at this moment. It could be an even worse idea than any of the ones he has made in the last ten days, but he nods.

The Alpha is immediately on his neck, pulling it harshly but not painfully, and ripping the patch slowly with his teeth. His knees feel so weak, his core throbs. The Alpha’s hands slide under his thin shirt. It's too much already, and yet his body wants more. So much more.

The sharp teeth graze his scent gland, and he gasps. The Alpha has the patch on his hand, looking at it with so much disdain. 

He can feel the slick between his legs after that contact with his gland; it felt so much as marking, like he believed bonding would be like. His body is producing more now that it knows there is an Alpha with him. So much slick for what he is used to. He can almost smell himself. 

The Alpha growls and steals a taste from his scent gland again. "Mine."

Gao Tu frowns. He said he was going to keep control. He loves the Alpha as much as he loves the man, but tonight he wants the man, not the instinct that only wants to claim and breed. He desperately wants to believe that Wen Lang wants him and not his instincts. That he wants him and not just this.

He pinches the Alpha on the neck.

Wen Lang breathes heavily, letting go of the hickey he was creating and resting those soft lips on his neck. "I- sorry. Your scent is too much sometimes."

Gao Tu tenses.

"I mean it in the good way." The Alpha soothes, leaving kisses on his neck. "It makes me lose myself, but I will rein it in."

"Thank you." Gao Tu replies, feeling touched by how he immediately knew. Ready to protect.

The Alpha pulls away and smiles wickedly at him. Pulling him closer by the waist, his other hand placed over his ass, grabbing at it possessively and massaging it.

Gao Tu yelps and feels his face grow hot.

"I also missed this. I will make it so good for you, Gao Tu. You will see."

In a moment of challenge and perhaps entitlement, as he is being fondled all over, he huffs in an attempt at a brave confession. "You better, it's your fault I went into heat tonight– and that night at X hotel as well."

The Alpha looks at him, stunned. Did he overstep?

He is pulled forward harshly, and Wen Lang's teeth crash against his in a reckless kiss. He can't help but hold tight and get closer and fall deeper into it.

He is weak. He has always been, but he needs this.

He needs Shen Wen Lang.

And he will have him at least for tonight.

As if he were almost his.

Almost

He scrambles for support as he is pushed into the bookshelf, no air between them. Holding onto the strong arms around his body for at least the idea of control with his pheromones going wild, begging for mating, and Wen Lang's ones screaming wanting and ownership. The Alpha is all around him, arms holding him as if he would bolt, hands massaging every inch of skin they have access to, and he is kissing him with such desperation. His tongue caresses his with such intensity that he feels as if he will faint.

He feels himself slip under the grasp of the heat. At least it is not a full one. Why is it not a full one?

He gasps for air, pulling away, and the Alpha growls, diving into his neck and clavicle, licking and sucking into his pheromone gland. Unwilling to let go of him for even a second.

"Mine," the Alpha claims while playfully nibbling on his neck. Gao Tu whines at the comment, pliant at the attention he is getting.  His heat is getting the better of him.

"Say it." Orders the Alpha, biting slightly harder this time. "Say you're mine."

Gao Tu nods. Desperate for more, and his heat in full swing for a small one. He is vaguely aware that the Alpha is also being dominated by his instincts, even with the inhibitor, but he hopes he can keep himself out of the drowning pheromones.

At least one of the two

He is not sure he could stop now.

They kiss, starved for contact, and Gao Tu cannot stop. He can't stop. The Alpha bites his lower lip, then licks it in apology. Gao Tu hisses at the sting and can't help to give a small bite back. They clash back into each other.

"Mine, bunny." The Alpha says it next to his lips. "Say it– please."

"Yours." He admits. Finally, this is something he doesn't have to lie about for once.

They're both under full control of instincts and pheromones now; there is no way the Alpha would say please otherwise. But oh, how it makes him warm inside to hve the alpha want him to be his. It also makes him grow harder, he feels dizzy.

Hopefully, whatever the Alpha got injected earlier will stop him from going into full rut. He is in heat, not a full one, which is strange, but he cannot focus on it as the Alpha bites his shoulder again, just above the previous mark. It's still away from his pheromone gland, thank the heavens. He would never forgive himself or be able to look Wen Lang in the eye if they got bonded over-what? Casual sex?

He hisses at the sting, not as deep as the previous one, barely any blood. Now, noticing his shirt is gone. When did that happen?

The Alpha licks at the bite, helping it close. A slow, and smug smile on his lips.

"You taste so sweet."

Gao Tu shakes his head, stunned out of words. He just takes the Alpha's face between his hands, so similar to that moment earlier, but this time he brings their lips together in a kiss instead of forcing him to calm down. It's full of energy and passion, both of them clinging to the other. Kissing so deeply as if they may merge with the other if they try hard enough. He can faintly taste the blood in Wen Lang's mouth.

His blood

As if he had truly been marked.

The thought only causes him to produce more slick. He can smell his own natural and herbal almost sweetness designed to tempt, to lure. The Alpha growls on his mouth, playfully biting his lower lip. He is lucky he doesn't have to work the next day.

"You are sin in a bottle, and that damn waist," the Alpha teases as he starts making his way down, tasting his scent gland with desperation. "It haunted me."

"Mr. Shen." Gasps Gao Tu at all of the teasing nibbles and comments from the Alpha. It makes it feel all too real, as if he truly wanted Him.

The man shakes his head, lips on his chest, hand keeping him trapped by the waist.

"Wen Lang," says the Alpha as he licks one nipple.

"What?" Yelps the omega, hanging on to dear life to the Alpha by his strong shoulders.

"My name is Wen Lang, Secretary Gao. Do not call me by my title while we are –"

"Fucking?" Dares to ask the omega. Perhaps to keep some control of this. 

The Alpha growls and bites on the bud he was playing with. The sensation is just between painful and pleasurable, and Gao Tu's back arches with pleasure.

"I told you I would make it good. Didn't I?" Teases the Alpha while stepping back and removing his jacket.

Finally, some skin. His brain screams.

So pathetic, so desperate.

But his heat, no matter how small, is making him crave contact, and the Alpha is just teasing.

"Wen Lang," He says, and the Alpha immediately comes back, lips meeting his. Ready to return when he hears his name being called.

"You keep distracting me from my plan," chastises the Alpha, keeping himself away from Gao Tu when he tries to follow him to keep on kissing. The man places a hand on his neck, not hurting, just stopping him.

He is so lost.

"You talk too much," Complains Gao Tu, wanting to have something, anything after the Alpna is just holding him against the bookshelf with the hand on his neck, pheromones keeping him pliant and willing. Not that he needs them, but he needs to not be dragged by the stream. The man looks at him with that intense stare, and he shivers, now literally and physically pinned to the spot by that warm and wide hand.

The Alpha hums and gets on his knees, hand releasing him and pushing down his pants and underwear in a harsh pull. Suddenly, the Alpha has his leg pulled high and resting on his shoulder, and he is licking between his legs all the way until he reaches his entrance.

Oh Gods

It's so good it only makes him slick more, and The Alpha hums happily licking and tasting more of this.

He never thought the Alpha would do this– to serve an– Omega. Not even his member, but his entrance.

Does he do this for Hua Yong as well?

Stop. 

Don't think

His legs tremble, keeping himself standing just with one while the other is held by the Alpha, as if to keep him from running. He wouldn't leave if he wanted to, the Alpha would catch him if he tried to. They both know that too well.

His hand finds home at the head of the Alpha that is still licking between his legs, and that thought alone brings pleasure to him.

It's too much

He wants more

He will die without more

Two fingers make their way inside of him, next to the tongue caressing and tasting him. He tenses and accidentally pulls the hair of the Alpha.

"Good?" Asks the man while licking his lips, his eyes dark and his pupils dilated. The Omega whines at the sight. He nods.

"Good." The Alpha grins and dives back in to taste and prepare him with a determination that makes him weak. That expression, familiar, kept to the office, is now being used to bring Him pleasure.

His hand finds support on the bookshelf, his trembling leg being lifted as well, and suddenly, he is off the floor. Leaning on the bookshelf only, and supported by the man under him.

He comes, overwhelmed by the pleasure and attention placed upon him.

The Alpha licks more deeply, trying to taste every drop. "So fucking sweet. If I had known before–"

He whimpers at the comment. And the Alpha looks at him between his legs, giving a seemingly innocent kiss to his naked thigh.

Shen Wen Lang is going to kill him.

He may be getting fond of the idea.

"You were quieter last time." Comments the Alpha while caressing his leg, helping him get back on his feet. "I like your little sounds better."

He is out of breath. "I needed to keep my identity secret."

The Alpha tsks at him, pinching his ass. He yelps and glares at the Alpha. "I was curious what the– omega I was with looked like."

It's too much and yet not enough. He brings Wen Lang back to his lips, this time tasting himself in there as well.

It is kind of sweet.

Almost sweet

He scrambles to remove the shirt from the Alpha, desperate for warm skin. His Omega instincts are screaming for it. The man complies and undoes his pants, allowing his big, and hard member to stand proudly out of them.

It's so big. It had felt that way. It had been so thick, it made him feel so full. He had not been able to see it last time. Slicks falls out of him at the mere thought of being full again. He wants to touch him. He doesn't know if he is allowed to. 

Wen Lang returns to him and lifts him up in a single movement. Gao Tu yelps and holds onto the man by his shoulders and hugs him with his legs.

He definitely was not expecting this to happen when the day started.

"Ready, Tu?"

He nods, desperate for it. He may start begging for it if he doesn't get something in him.

Pathetic.

At this very moment, he may be fine with it.

Slowly, the man pushes into him. He feels so much bigger than last time.

The Alpha groans in his ear. "Mine."

He just nods, finally getting what his body needed. He is slowly lowered into the thick member until he is fully seated and so full he could cry with it. He sighs in bliss. The Alpha kisses his cheek.

"So tight, Tu. You good?"

He nods yes, and as soon as he does, he is being used, harsh thrusts fucking him desperately against the bookshelf. He is being pushed and pulled, bouncing on that throbbing member with such aggressive, but so good movements. He could cry with how good it feels.

It is as fast and too much as last time, but this time is less– painful. He clenches in desperation and pleasure, and that only makes the Alpha fuck into him harder. How did he think he could say no to this?

A particularly strong thrust pulls him hard against the wood on his back, and he just notices the hand of the Alpha on the back of his head, protecting him from hitting himself. He just processes it as the bookshelf leans to the side and starts falling, some of his belongings hitting the floor. The Alpha reacts just in time to hold it and keep it from hitting the floor. He is almost crushed between it and the man holding it with both hands.

He is so much deeper now. He can't breathe; he claws at the Alpha's chest in pleasure. 

The man lets him go as he readjusts the bookshelf, and Gao Tu pulls him closer at the loss of contact. His heat is making him clingy.

He is so empty.

"Bed," Explains the Alpha, placing a hand on his hip. "It's safer."

He nods, so eager and desperate. He holds Wen Lang by his wrist and pulls him towards the bed. Nest. Alpha in his nest. 

He doesn't have a nest. He never allowed his instincts to grow, just as he never let his organs develop.

Wen Lang stops on his way to the bed. Gao Tu pulls on his wrist, a soft sound leaving his mouth. So much for not letting his instincts out. He will feel ashamed of it tomorrow, but now he just needs that Alpha on his bed, on his nest. Now.

"Bed. Alpha."

The man seems not to hear him, and he feels like crying. Wen Lang crouches, his eyes focused on the things that fell from the bookshelf. It's slightly dim in the apartment, but he can see. If he can see, then Shen Wen Lang can definitely see, there, among some of the things that fell from the bookshelf, is the picture frame. Their picture together.

Shit

The sight of it is enough to take him out of the heat craze he was in.

Shit

Shit

He is truly dead now.

The Alpha looks at him with an unreadable look in his eyes. "You kept this?"

"We are friends, right?" He asks on the verge of losing it. He can't reveal his feelings as well, and even less of all now. His mind is a litt.le too hazy from the heat for this. "I keep pictures with friends."

"Yes. Friends," Says the Alpha while walking towards him. 

Hunting him. 

Again.

Shit.

"My friend. Mine"

He walks backwards slowly towards his bed. Only a couple of steps and he is there. The Alpha climbs over him, thankfully not pouncing to claim him as prey. Gao Tu notices, Wen Lang's pants were left behind at some point; now they are both finally bare.

A part of him is preening under the attention of his Alpha, of having him in bed again, in his not even attempt at nest, but the other is so tense from that picture. Does he know? There is no way he wouldn't know. It is so obvious, he is obvious. Wen Lang is not stupid… he probably just reiterated "friend" to let him down easy.

"Mine," Growls the Alpha in his ear.

The possessive eyes on him as he is being positioned for mating are making him feel overwhelmed, and the thoughts of his unrequited feelings being exposed are about to send him into a panic. He needs some control.

Gently, he pushes the Alpha over him. He growls, and Gao Tu shushes him, now vaguely used to the Alpha not liking distance being put between them.

"Wen Lang," He whispers, and the Alpha that he can see on his eyes calms down at the sound of his name to allow the man to gain control again. "I want– not on my back, please"

The man nods, leaving a kiss on his lips, and helps him get in the position he wants. Gao Tu gets on his hands and knees. He can not look him in the eyes now. Terrified, Wen Lang could see the truth in them if he only looked. He has never looked, and Gao Tu has perfected keeping himself invisible, reliable, and unshakable. But right now, the alpha has looked into him. He can see now that Gao Tu is none of this; he is just an Omega getting bred by an Alpha that is not even his.

That train of thought gets pushed out of his brain as the Alpha slides back in, in one smooth movement. So full again. Alpha. The Alpha covers his entire body with his. It's so similar to that night, and yet completely different.

The Alpha nips him on the ear and soothes with a kiss and soothing pheromones. "Good?"

He nods his permission and the man resumes his pounding once again, leaving him breathless with each strong and deep movements inside him. All he can do is hold on, soft sounds leaving his mouth now that he does not need to remain quiet.

He will be sore tomorrow, but it will be worth it. He thought he would never have this again, and he will enjoy himself with the man he loves for one last time. He will make it good for Wen Lang as well.

His arms give up between thrusts, and his desperate noises get drowned on the comforter under him as the Alpha covers him with kisses and bites. He is so possessive. The worst part is that Gao Tu loves it. It is as if Wen Lang actually wanted to claim him, to show the world he marked him.

A hand between his legs makes him cry out as the Alpha starts caressing him at the pace of his movements. Fucking him as if his life depended on it. 

It might.

He may die if Wen Lang stops.

"Mine. Going to fill you with my pups."

He almost misses the comment. But he hears it.

The Alphas' movements grow erratic, and Gao Tu can feel the knot beginning to swell. In the back of his mind, he worries about a repeat of last time, but it gets drowned as the Alpha brings him to climax a second time, and only two thrusts after the Alpha comes inside of him, pushing his knot in Gao Tu, locking them together once again.

He is so full, the Alpha's seed filling his womb. It is not comfortable, and yet he wouldn't have it any other way. They fall together on the bed, exhausted and panting. His arms and legs feel heavy, he is covered in sweat, and his insides are too full. He is in heaven.

It doesn't take long for the Alpha to start kissing his back, scenting his neck and cheeks as well. Painfully soft pecks all over his back, trailing kisses from one side to the other.

"So nice," Mumbles the Alpha between kisses.

Gao Tu rests his head on his arms crossed underneath him. He knows they have at least twenty or thirty more minutes to go.

"So sweet for me." Continues saying the Alpha, the inhibitor must have run out at that point, as he is just saying things with that soft tone full of wonder. It hurts, and yet he cannot help but file it in his brain for difficult days.

A soft kiss directly to his scent gland draws a whimper out of him. Sensitive due to the heat and all of the mating pheromones that were released during their activities.

"Gao Tu– did I make it good for you?"

He opens his eyes, the Alpha leaning over him, keeping an eye on his reaction barely a couple of inches away. It makes him strangely touched.

"Yes, Mr. Shen. You made it very good."

The Alpha frowns and nibs on his ear. "Don't call me that when we're in bed together."

Gao Tu hides a timid smile on the bed. "Shen Wen Lang,"

"Good"

A part of him wonders as well. "Was I–?"

The Alpha kisses his cheek. "You were so good for me, Tu."

The Alpha leans in and kisses him slowly,  savoring the afterglow.

He could almost purr.

Almost

If he can't even nest, then how would he even purr?

"I could almost give you a new bonus. Im just kidding." Wen Lang adds when he tenses, leaving a timid kiss on his neck. 

"Why didn't you let me quit?" He asks before he can stop himself.

The Alpha stops his administration on his neck.

He hums as acknowledgment and takes his time. "I don't know. I was going to fire you, I thought you wanted to trap me or wanted something from me. Then you just quit, it shook me. I was not expecting that."

He hides the pain from the kisses. "I never wanted to trap you."

"I know that now, bunny." He kisses him again and wraps his hands under Gao Tu, drawing them even closer together. "I'm glad it was you and not just some stranger."

"Really?" He cannot help but ask.

"Yes." The Alpha rubs himself all over him, scenting him.

At that very moment, he can almost believe the Alpha does want him.

Almost

"Was I too rough?"

Gao Tu shakes his head. He is sore, yes. But he is fine, he is more than fine.

"Thank heavens."

They stay in silence, the Alpha nibbling and scent marking him in every place he can reach while the knot goes down. They rest in not quite sleep while it deflates, the omega lulled to sleep with the soft administrations to his skin.

"Why did it take so long at that time?" Asks Gao Tu with a sleepy and timid voice. He still feels guilty and self-conscious when he speaks about that night. None of them had been fully on board with it, unlike now.

The Alpha hums and shrugs, "I wouldn't know, but I'm back to normal now."

The knot goes down. He gets up, leaving Gao Tu feeling cold, his back no longer being covered and held.

"I'm glad you couldn't leave. I would have gone crazy not knowing who it was." Says the Alpha while stretching and getting up to find his pants, his voice strained. He probably has not fully forgiven Gao Tu for lying yet. "Thinking it was just anyone that I touched, and not knowing what they wanted– or if they were alright."

Gao Tu nods, unable to speak. He knew it was a one-time thing, that he would not stay, and yet...

His damn heat makes him needy. Pathetic

He reigns in his heat pheromones, those needy things asking the Alpha to stay. Manipulative. 

The man walks away from him and he hides his face in the pillow, not wanting to see when he leaves through his door.

The steps fade, and he swallows a sob.

He is so pathetic

So needy

A warm hand in his shoulder brings him out of the spiral. He is still here, standing by his bed with a neutral face, but a glass of water being offered. Slowly, he gets up. His limbs feel weak and used in the best way, and it does require some effort to sit up, but he does his best to not show it. The Alpha hands him the glass and sits next to him.

"Thank you."

The Alpha nods, not looking at him, of course. As the man takes his shirt in hand, he stops and pushes it towards Gao Tu.

"Mr. Sh– Wen Lang?"

"I can't look at you covered in all those marks and bites. Cover yourself before I lose control again."

Oh

Oh

Wen Lang does want him

Gao Tu accepts the shirt and wears it, covering all of the marks scattered on his chest and most of the others on his neck. It's soft, expensive, and two sizes bigger. The Iris scent lingering from the clothing item is almost enough to make him purr.

Almost

That intense stare is back and focused on him as he buttons it closed.

Why is he not leaving?

He was certain Wen Lang would be gone now.

Why is he still here? 

He is too much of a coward to ask.

He drinks more of the water and places the glass back on his old nightstand once it's empty.

"Are you hungry?"

Gao Tu shakes his head. He should be the one serving his guest. "The lunch was quite filling. Thank you."

"Aren't omegas in heat supposed to be hungry?"

Gao Tu doesn't think Shen Wen Lang would know a lot about heats, but then Hua Yong's face comes to his head, and he shudders. He remembers that conversation. 

"I don't tend to get that hungry during heats." He confesses, his face red. Even though Wen Lang already knows what he is, it is still so strange to talk about it. He had been quiet for so long. "Not that this is a normal one."

"What do you mean?" Asks the Alpha, his pheromones going up in apparent worry.

"Just not a full one. It's fine, I have an appointment with my doctor next week."

The Alpha looks at him, unconvinced, and finally, he nods. He stretches his legs and neck, showing off his gifted physique, and Gao Tu can feel himself growing warm again, the haze returning and slick being produced once again. It seems only once was not enough for this heat, even when it's a small one.

The Alpha smirks in that subtle way of his and leans closer to him on the tiny bed, his pupils slowly growing. Pheromones meant for mating being released again.

"I shouldn't have asked you to wear this. I'm losing it with how you look wearing my clothes." The man mutters while unbuttoning it.

The omega shivers, and the Alpha traps him between his arms, his legs between them. "Can we do it again, Gao Tu? Just one more time."

He nods. Desperate already, unwilling to speak, terrified he will beg if he opens his mouth. 

He's feeling better, more calm, but he still is in heat.

He needs control

He pulls the Alpha closer. Their lips meeting in a painfully soft kiss, it's too much already. He needs more.

He puts space between them, pushing the Alpha slowly and following after, shushing him when the Alpha growls at the distance. Too lost already to his instincts and to his heat. The inhibitor gone from his bloodstream at this point, unable to support a second mating.

He guides the Alpha to sit, timid in deciding the movements of an Alpha. His mind screaming he should submit instead. But Wen Lang lets him, his intense eyes slowly clouding with pheromones and having an omega in heat in his arms. He is not certain this is normal, but maybe it's just Wen Lang’s Alpha instincts making him want to please the omega in heat in his arms. 

So much like a puppy. It pulls on his heart.

Gao Tu follows him, sitting on his lap, feeling guilty and self conscious about the slick staining the expensive slacks of the Alpha sitting under him.

He'll pay for the laundry.

The Alpha, pleased to have him so close, hugs him even closer and dives into his neck and chest that is at the exact right height for it. It's strange, having him go into this state, so desperate to please, so soft instead of his hunting mode, is it because he already has the Omega in his arms?

Did he break Wen Lang?

He remembers, that night, on the third time they did it, Wen Lang was also acting– softer.

They held hands.

He cannot focus on that, the Alpha desperately bites into him and soothes with kisses, keeping him close with his arms as if scared he would leave.

"Wen Lang are you okay?" He asks, worried. Even when he is getting lost into heat as well he must make sure he is fine with it.

"Mine," Mumbles the Alpha while kissing his scent gland.

"Yours."

That seems to calm him down. He nods and helps Gao Tu place his leg around his. He had not thought about how he had never done it like this before; this was only the second time he had done anything with anyone. He needed the control, yes, but this felt too new; he had always let Wen Lang do as he pleased. He had always been the one to submit.

He swallows as the Alpha keeps feasting on his neck, licking and drinking the pheromones he releases. He takes the thick and hard member with trembling hands, and pushes it inside of him. It slides in as if it were home. He had been so empty.

"So warm," Mumbles the Alpha, a hand sneaking to his hip and grabbing part of his cheek. "Tutu?"

He shakes his head and swallows a sob; he feels so full. He kisses Wen Lang as if his life depended on this. Still so unsure about how he can just do this, just kiss the Alpha. BNut he can, at least for tonight. 

For tonight, he can have this.

He moves his hips in an experimental roll, seeking fiction. A small gasp is pushed out of him. The Alpha kisses him harder, pushing his tongue into his mouth as Gao Tu starts rising his hips, using his legs for support. It takes him a couple moments to really get into a rhythm, to feel something almost close to confident, but the Alpha continues kissing him, harder with every breath, and groaning into his mouth, as he thrusts back.

It's passionate and languid, and he feels touched everywhere. He swears he can fill every inch of the hard member inside of him. He moans, and the Alpha bites his lip.

They spend minutes, maybe hours, tangled in each other, their hands intertwining at some point of it. And when his legs give up, the Alpha just helps him and, with his impressive strength, lifts him and continues what they started.

It's too soft, it's not fucking anymore, it's more than mating. Almost as if making love.

He comes with Wen Lang's name on his mouth when the Alpha fills him with his seed again and locks them together with his knot. He opens his eyes and blinks the tears away to notice a new sting in his neck, just between his shoulder and his scent gland. Too close for comfort.

The Alpha falls back and takes him with him, unwilling to leave any space between them. With this position, the Alpha doesn't have access to his neck to devour, but he gladly keeps on petting his hair and gluing his nose to where his scent is the strongest.

"You smell so fucking good."

He shivers. "Wen Lang?"

The Alpha hums, partially drunk in his scent, pheromones, and afterglow.

"Do you really mean it? Do you like my scent?"

Shen Wen Lang hugs him closer. "Yes."

And with that simple answer, he accepts it. He believes him.

He wakes up without his alarm, but his body is used to it. The sun is not up yet, just about to rise and his body feels sore in the nicest way. The heat is gone, and he is naked on his bed, Wen Lang's clothes pushed to the edge of the bed and the Alpha is heavily sleeping over him. So similar to that time.

This time, they are not locked together, but the Alpha is holding him tightly by his waist.

He pushes him away after forcing himself to believe this is necessary, but the man just holds him closer, his limbs pressing tighter and the nose on his neck drawing closer and inhaling his scent. He shivers.

Perhaps the Alpha does like his scent if he is trying to access it even while asleep.

He allows himself a couple of extra minutes lying down; he doesn't have to work today or tomorrow. But President Shen does.

He sighs tiredly and gently shakes Wen Lang's shoulder.

He does it again, and the Alpha refuses to wake up. His face is so handsome, almost peaceful, without those eyes being rolled or with a judgemental expression. He is even fond of those, but he prefers this– calmness.

He wants to kiss him good morning, but he won't.

"Wen Lang. Wake up, you have to go work today." He says while shaking his shoulder again.

The Alpha doesn't wake up. He knows it's earlier than usual, but he will have to go home to get dressed and he doesn't want him to be late.

With a deep breath he settles to use his secretary voice. "Mr. Shen, you will be late for work at HS group. You must get up."

A low grumble leaves the Alpha's mouth, but his eyes open after he pulls an unfairly adorable face. He cannot help but smile just a little.

The man using him as a pillow seems to take a moment to process things, and Gao Tu tenses, worried he may have changed his mind, but Wen Lang settles and focuses his dark eyes on him.

"Good morning."

"Morning," Replies the Alpha, still looking at him, now that stare set on his lips. He gulps.

Does Mr. Shen want to–?

The man leans in slightly, and he pathetically opens his lips on a silent gasp. Wen Lang stops at the last moment and gets up, stretching himself. Even with the disappointment, he can't help but stare at the toned muscles of the Alpha's back.

"You're staring," chuckles the Alpha.

He feels his face grow hot. "No, I– I was looking at the scratches. I hurt you. I'm sorry."

Wen Lang turns as if trying to see the faint and no longer red lines on his back. They are mostly healed now.

"It's fine, Gao Tu." He turns, his hand reaching out and settling on his arm after a brief moment. "I left your neck quite– I'm not sorry for those."

His eyes flicker to his lips again, then to his marked chest and neck. His pupils dilate. The hand on his shoulder grabs him tighter.

He lets go.

Right. It was a one-time thing.

The Alpha gets up and goes to dress.

"If you can get ready fast, then I can take you to HS group after I'm done at my apartment. "

"I have the day off. My sister."

"Right," the Alpha replies. "I'll take you to the hospital after I'm done at my apartment, then."

He shakes his head. "You don't have to do it, Mr. Shen. It's fine."

He tsks. "What did I tell you about calling me that?"

He looks elsewhere. "We're not in bed together now, Sir."

"Right"

They stare at the other. Not blinking. He is so unsure of where they are standing now. They slept together.

Again.

The Alpha crosses his arms and looks at him from head to toe. He feels so self-conscious. He is fully naked, only covered by his old, thin sheet, his skin covered in marks from the night before.

"Anyway, get dressed. I'll take you to visit your sister after I'm done with my apartment."

Gao Tu showers and dresses in record time, not wanting to make Mr. Shen late, insisting that he can go to the hospital. Twice

Wen Lang refuses.

Twice.

He can see the Alpha frown when he places his scent patch on his neck. He takes two pills with him in case he needs them. Safely placed in his pocket.

He can faintly smell displeased pheromones, but the Alpha doesn't say anything.

They drive in silence.

The route to his apartment is familiar, almost comforting with how much he has gone there. Although he uses public transport most times.

They stop at a small restaurant. Before Gao Tu can ask what they are doing, Wen Lang leaves the car, and he follows him. He gets a pick-up order. Breakfast.

He is too touched to say anything besides thank you when the Alpha places it in his lap.

"You can eat it while I shower." He explains.

"Won't you eat?"

"I'll do it at the office, it's still early."

He shakes his head, feeling guilty. The Alpha is going through so much trouble for him. He will insist he eats at the apartment.

When they are inside Mr. Shen leaves him to start his day, knowing Gao Tu is familiar with the place, he settles to wait for him to eat. It is not fair that he gets a warm breakfast while the alpha eats over his desk. He goes to prepare tea in the meantime. Is the least he can do.

As he waits for the water to reach the right temperature, his thoughts stray to the night before. Heavens, they slept together again.

Shen Wen Lang wants him. He is almost sure. Those pheromones and that stare, he doesn't think he can misinterpret it.

And this morning, he thought he would get kissed again.

He shakes his head. The water is not ready yet.

He got him breakfast... Well, not just him. But that is his boss. He could just have asked for him to order something or to have him contact the chef to have something ready.

What is happening?

Two weeks ago, no one but his sister knew of his Omega designation, and now Wen Lang is not only aware but they're still working together. The Alpha, famous for hating Omegas, has allowed him to remain by his side, and not only that– they are sleeping together.

Well, almost.

It was a one-time thing.

It's better that way. His heart would not survive getting any kind of stupid hope of anything with Wen Lang. He is not so sure he is currently dealing with whatever is happening with them at this very moment.

He should be on his way to his sister, and instead, he is serving tea to the man he has spent the last decade in love with after they spent the night together. What is his life right now?

He should be focusing on his sister and on his job. Not this.

Whatever this is.

He serves the tea and goes to the fridge, faintly hearing Wen Lang's voice coming from his room, taking a call probably. Taking notes of any missing groceries to order them to be delivered. It is not time yet, but still. He wants to make use of his time and not think about it.

He is thinking about it again.

It frustrates him.

Acting like a lovesick omega.

Technically, he is.

He has never allowed his feelings for Wen Lang to get in the way of his work ethic, and he will not start now. Even when he is technically on vacation.

As he closes the fridge and checks the pantry, taking notes on the app on his phone as he always does, he feels that intense stare on the back of his neck.

He takes a deep breath.

"I've made tea, Mr Shen."

"Don't call me that now, Gao Tu."

He takes the tray in his hands and takes it to the breakfast island.

"We're not in bed," He explains, feeling slightly more confident at the moment to bring that up. Still, his ears feel warm. 

"You could call me by my name at least after I had to make the walk of shame out of your house."

Yes, he did. It made him almost mad at how good Wen Lang looked with his dirty clothes and messy hair when they had left.

The Alpha looks at him expectantly. His eyebrow raised and his arms crossed.

"Well?"

"Wen Lang"

The man gives him a faint smile that slips into a frown when he sees the breakfast spread on the table, but not eaten yet.

"You got breakfast, it would be rude not to wait for you." He explains "Besides, we have a couple of minutes left."

Wen Lang shakes his head but sits, and he follows, placing the tray between them. He starts eating. The food is good, still warm. From a nice place.

They eat in silence; it's almost comfortable.

He looks at Wen Lang for brief moments; he can feel that stare on him for some other moments as well, but he never catches him.

Looking at the other, but never at the same time.

He looks at the clock. Mr. Shen is still on time. He can be late, but Gao Tu doesn't want to be the reason he makes his boss not be on time.

"Are you in a rush?" Asks the man, changing his tone from aggressive to neutral in the middle of it.

"I don't want you to be late. The trimester sales meeting is today. Then you have the quality reports to sign. The Secretary General has received the updated version already. At 6 pm, you have your yearly general health appointment. We cannot reschedule it again, it would be the third time. Your driver will be waiting for you."

Shen Wen Lang looks at him for a long moment.

"Sir?" He thinks the title is fine at this moment as they are talking about work.

The man lets the use of the title go and places his cup down. His eyes still focused on him.

"I want to do it again."

Chapter Text

Did he just say that he wants to–? Again? 

At this exact moment or just like at some point?

He chokes on nothing, coughing with the impression. The Alpha raises his eyebrow and makes a move, but Gao Tu moves his hand in a gesture to show him that it is not necessary. He takes a sip of his tea to soothe his throat. It helps, even if it's still a little too hot. 

"What? What do you mean?" His voice sounds rough.

The Alpha blinks. His face is as serious as when he is in a meeting, closing a deal. Decided and focused. 

"I liked it, Gao Tu. I would like to sleep with you again. Not now– there's not enough time, but I would like to."

"I thought it was a one-time thing,"

Wen Lang frowns, his hands tensing and his voice growing tight. "Yes, it was a one-time thing when I said it. But I would like to do it again. From time to time, if you would like to as well."

"But– you don't like Omegas." He stutters. He wants to, of course he does, but that doesn't mean he should. It could end horribly. Broken hearts, pride hurt, him having to leave. Wen Lang would be fine, but he is the one that would be risking it all.

It would be easier for Shen Wen Lang to change his mind rather than himself finding the strength to say no. Does he really want Shen Wen Lang to change his mind? To take away his offer to have something more? It’s just physical intimacy, just sex. But it is more than he ever thought he would get. Way more than he ever dreamt. 

He is not sure he could ever say no to Shen Wen Lang. Could he?

"I don't like them, never met one before I liked." Affirms the Alpha. His eyes hard, and yet honest. "But I like you, I wouldn't be proposing this if I didn't want… you."

It's what he always wanted to hear, but that is not it. It would only break him to get this, to be wanted, but just his body, not him. He said that he likes him, but he didn't mean it that way, did he? No, he didn't. They're talking about sex, they are talking just about that. Wen Lang is a direct man, he is putting on the table what he wants, he is offering a deal. 

He is too soft, too Omega to be someone he likes. Right now he is only something he likes. And isn't that too much already? 

What would happen if he said yes? He would only get his hopes up and then those pathetic feelings crushed. And that wouldn't be fair for Wen Lang either, to get hopeful and create expectations for something that was never promised. There is a reason he has been able to keep his feelings and actions at bay for such a long time, he kept the Alpha at arms length and kept every interaction calculated and fully platonic. And now-, now they have slept together. More than once.

And Wen Lang wants more.

He has to stop this before it's too late and everything is broken beyond repair. He has to think about his sister too.

But what if it worked?

But what if he breaks?

He wants this. Him. It hurts so bad, this yearning, this want. This fucking unrequited love is tearing his lungs from the inside; he wants to rip his skin with the idea that has been implanted in his brain, that this is almost what he wants.

Almost.

"You hate them. Us, " He adds with a small voice, his gaze downcast. It hurts, but it's true. He can't continue down this path when he is risking it all, risking what he is for a man who could still throw him away if he decided to.

He wants him, but he doesn't want Him.

And Gao Tu could almost settle for any part of him. 

Almost.

But it's not only him, it's his sister, it's his job, and it's Wen Lang. His stomach rumbles, unhappy. 

"I don't fucking hate you. I told you before." The Alpha gets up and leaves the table, his meal forgotten. "You know what? Forget it."

Wen Lang half-stomps to his room; thankfully, he doesn't slam the door. It hurts just as much as every cold, and disgusted comment the Alpha had made before about Omegas. Maybe it hurts even more.

Gao Tu silently finishes his breakfast. It doesn't taste right anymore, but he continues eating. Was it the right choice? Does it even matter? Wen Lang is no longer interested. He has taken away the offer, and it's too late to change his mind.

This is what he had wanted. To not have to decline and have Wen Lang take away the temptation.

But he had wanted him, well, his body. Right?

When he is done, he cleans the kitchen and does the dishes. Not hurried, but not taking his time either. Putting everything in place, they still have a couple of minutes left, but if Wen Lang doesn't leave his room soon, he will have to fetch him. He feels that wouldn't go too well with the Alpha.

He rubs his nape over the scent gland and patch. He is already tired, and the day has barely started. He feels sweaty with the light concealer he is wearing over the worst bites and marks on his neck; he got it after that night at X Hotel, the cheapest pharmacy product he found that matched his skin tone. He doesn't like how it feels on him.

He sighs. It doesn't matter; it's just to cover all of the red on him. 

Just last night Wen Lang had touched him, devoured him. Called him His. 

He shakes his head. It was a one-time thing.

As a last thing before having to pick his boss from his sulking, he placed the food Wen Lang had left untouched in a container and packs it for the Alpha to have it later. After a small consideration, he pours the remaining tea in an expensive thermos that will keep it warm for a while. Just as Wen Lang likes it.

His heart stings,and his mind returns to the issue as if he had not just been thinking about it. But maybe he could have dealt with only having sex with the man he loves, no feelings involved. But it would have been too risky–

It doesn't matter, the offer is no longer there.

The Alpha leaves his room, strutting as if nothing had happened, and walks directly to the door.

"It's late."

The nonchalance of his voice does hurt. But that is common.

Gao Tu follows him, giving one last look to the apartment to make sure that he left everything in place, his phone in his pocket. 

The elevator ride down is awkward but he can deal with it, he has withstanded worse and longer silences. He grasps the container with the lunch for the Alpha tighter, but refuses to hug it. Don't show weakness.

The Alpha gets in the car and Gao Tu follows him to the driver's side. Not getting in.

"What are you waiting for, an invitation? Get in, it's late now."

He offers the food and the tea instead. The Alpha accepts it automatically, years and years of muscle memory from taking documents from Gao Tu. His closed and annoyed expression filled with the smallest hint of curiosity. 

"You didn't finish the food, I packed it for you to eat later. I can go to the hospital on my own from here, President Shen. It's closer than from my home, thank you for the breakfast. I appreciate it."

The Alpha sighs and closes his eyes, rubbing his temple, frustration evident.

"Just get in the car, Gao Tu. I'll take you to your sister like I said."

"That's not necessary."

"Don't make me say please, secretary Gao. "

He feels his ears warm slightly, remembering last night when he said it. He had said "please" to have him accept the alpha on his bed. He had been so considerate, he had made it good.

He tried. He is trying, in his own flawed way, but he is trying.

"Okay."

He gets in and they drive in silence.

He uses every ounce of his will to keep the thoughts and longing at bay. He is not sure if it works. But he tries.

Hopefully everything goes alright today with Gao Qing. 

At the red light, the Alpha's hands tighten on the steering wheel. His pheromones reigned in from one moment to the other. Filling the car with frustration and then completely gone.

"I know I can be a little–" Wen Lang stops and clenches his jaw. That isn't good for his bones. He wants to reach out and smooth out, massage to get him relaxed.

He is not allowed to. 

"Impatient?" He adds that when the Alpha doesn't continue, using a slightly joking tone. He hopes not to be too familiar or forward with that reply. Especially now that the Alpha was annoyed at him.

The Alpha smiles slightly. "Direct, but yes. You were right, I have been rude to you for the last decade. It was unfair to just ask that after everything I've done– and with how I treated you that night, and just expect you to forget it. You already gave me way too much from just last night."

Gao Tu nods, lowering his gaze. Since when is Wen Lang so communicative? Since when is he so emotionally available? 

A silly part of his brain wonders if the Alpha has been practicing what he is going to say before he speaks. He never does. He could be doing it now, could he also like him? At least a little?

But he is an Omega. No matter how much he denies that part of himself he is still one. 

"You say you like me, that you want me but– "

"I do."

"But I'm an Omega, Wen Lang. That is what I am, and I can't just change it. I've tried."

"I'm sorry, Tu. I do."

"It's not your fault what I am. It's what I presented as."

"I meant, I'm sorry for making you feel like shit for being an Omega. I've been an asshole to you."

"Is not related to you, it started before. When I was still small, I told you."

"Of course I remember, Tu. But I didn't help with my comments either. Did I?" The Alpha interjects, driving again when the light turns to green. "Tu?"

"No, the comments didn't help. Anyone else would have sued for those comments already."

He can see the Alpha tense and lower the windows of the car, most likely to push the frustrated pheromones he is releasing. They are faint but there, he wishes to soothe. It's not his place, and he is not sure on how to do it.

He is sure he has some distress pheromones leaking too. He dry swallows a suppressant. He can feel the Alpha's eyes on him and on the pill disappearing in his mouth. He is not in the mood to hear a lecture about suppressants now. Besides, it's the first one he takes in twenty four hours. And the only one he is planning on taking for the day.

How strange is that?

When was the last time he used his inhaler?

They stay in silence for a block.

"I was wrong." Says Wen Lang. His entire body tensed.

"About what?"

"About Omegas."

Gao Tu interrupts. "You don't have to lie about it."

"I'm not! I'm not, Tu. I was wrong about everything I said about Omegas. Or at least with you"

He shakes his head, his eyes wide and frustrated. "I don't know about the rest, I don't know a lot of other Omegas, and that is my fault. I admit it. But you are not what I believed them to be. You are hard-working, loyal, and so selfless. Not clingy, needy, or scheming. You're good and– and you are Gao Tu, that's what matters."

He can feel his eyes sting.

His heart is beating so fast.

His fucking Omega brain wants him to reach out.

"I was wrong. I'm sorry I said all of those things about you when I didn't know."

"Thank you." He replies with his eyes still down. He fears he will cry if he looks at him in the eye. That or the Alpha will immediately know what he is thinking and feeling. 

He turns to the window, refusing to allow any tears to fall. He almost believes this.

He doesn't.

He does.

They arrive at the hospital, and Wen Lang parks the car. 

They both look at each other. 

"Thank you for the ride, Wen Lang."

The Alpha nods. "It's fine."

As he turns to open the door, a hand stops him by gently touching his shoulder. Just where he was bitten. He suppresses a shiver.

You smell nice

Mine

He called him HIS

Multiple times

"I will not try anything again. I won't insist anymore if you tell me to. If you don't want me, it's fine."

He sighs softly, not wanting to say it, but having to. He can't just ignore it, especially not when he wants Wen Lang as much as he needs the air to breathe.

He loves him.

No metaphor needed. He is in love with Shen Wen Lang.

"I want you too, Wen Lang. But I'm not sure if it's a good idea."

He is almost proud of how he said it without spontaneous combustion or shaking. Too close for comfort, too close to the truth.

The whole truth

He dares to look back at the Alpha and finds his eyes are already darkened. That same hungry gaze, the instinct overriding the man. He pinches the hand resting on his shoulder, not too hard. Just to avoid him trying anything at the moment.

It's almost endearing how he immediately gets lost on it.

Luckily, the Alpha is not upset by the pinch. He blinks and lets go of Gao Tu. In the back of his mind, he thinks he may have to buy a pocket-sized can of scent neutralizer if Wen Lang continues to be like this. Has he even been like this? Did he really enjoy it that much?

It's almost sweet.

"You don't have to decide now. Take your time, Gao Tu."

He nods, and with that he leaves the car, ignoring the want inside himself that calls him to go back and nuzzle all over the Alpha. Stupid instincts.

He arrives at his sister's room earlier than usual. She is just waking up, but she is happy to see him, just as much as he is to see her.

It feels so long since he last visited, and everything has changed. A part of him wishes he could talk about what is happening with Shen Wen Lang with her, or with anyone. Of course, he will not put that burden on her. Right now, all she has to do is get better. 

At least, he manages to avoid questions about his personal life and about the new marks on his neck. He concealed most of them, but there are a lot of them, and they're dark and big. Also, even though he is an omega, he doesn't use makeup. He never learnt or used any.

He can't pretend they're mosquito bites anymore, so he changes the topic, but Gao Qing clearly doesn't believe him. He wouldn't believe himself either. 

He has more hickeys and bites than last time now. He is single, he shouldn't have any. 

He is so thankful he took a good shower with his scent-neutralizing soap to cover his and Wen Lang's activities from last night. He will not burden his sister with whatever is happening between them.

What are they?

It doesn't matter; he will not think about it now. All of his attention will be on his sister today.

All of it.

He offers her the fruit he brought for her, and she gladly eats it. Her favorites, and yet she insists he eats some as well. Her instincts to protect and provide kicking in against his, that wants to take care of her. 

He gently refuses. It's all hers.

He hears a soft sound outside the room, but his sister places a hand over his, handing him some of the fruit salad. Her expression stern.

"Eat. You look so thin.  President Shen just exploits you. When was the last time you ate?"

"Truly A-Qing. I already had breakfast today." He accepts that one piece of fruit to appease her. But he will not eat more. "He treats me well. He even brought me breakfast today."

"He made you work today?" She asks, insulted on his behalf. 

"He just needed a little help with something. I offered, and he got me breakfast and offered a ride as well. It's fine."

"He is taking advantage."

"President Shen is a good boss. I'm fine, Qing. Besides, he paid for your surgery; he cares."

He does, he cares.

He has apologized. He is trying to remedy his cruel words.

He wants him.

"He exploits you."

"He doesn't "

"You always defend him. I don't like owing him. We will pay him back the principal and interest, brother. As soon as I'm better, we'll start, remember? Maybe then you can finally quit."

He shakes his head fondly, so stubborn and proud. He adores her. So strong even at moments like these.

"I like my job, Qing. But yes, we will pay everything back. You gotta keep your strength for the surgery and recovery first."

"I will," She mumbles with her mouth full of fruit.

He smiles at her.

"The nurse should be here at any moment to–"  He stops, his hand frozen in his pocket. His phone is gone.

His new phone Wen Lang gifted him, and he has not even started to pay back.

Did he forget it in the bathroom before he came in?

He had it when he left home. Did he leave it at Wen Lang's apartment? No, he remembers looking for it when they left. 

He excuses himself and leaves the room to look for it. His sister looking at him with a curious expression. What if Wen Lang has it and sees the way he has him saved on his phone.

Wolf of wolves.

He would rather die.

The sight of Wen Lang typing on his own phone outside his sister's hospital room stops him. The Alpha is confidently leaning on the wall, his eyes focused on the screen. His hair is perfect, and that Grey suit that looks so good on him–

"President Shen. What are you doing here?"

The Alpha focuses those dark eyes on him and  walks up to him, taking something from his pocket. A small silver rectangle. His phone.

"You forgot your phone in my car" He explains as if it was nothing. As if he didn't have to run an entire company at this exact moment instead of returning his phone to his secretary, waiting outside the room.

How did he know the room number? He paid for the surgery, that's right.

Why was he waiting instead of just knocking on the door?

"Thank you. You didn't have to do this." He says, feeling his cheeks and chest warm up.   "Why don't you come in?"

"I have to go soon. I was just waiting for you to come out. I did not want to disturb your sister, and I could not text you."

That's right, he has to leave. How long had he been waiting for Gao Tu to come out? How long was he going to wait?

The Alpha shrugs, putting his own phone away.

They stare at each other. He can't look away. The Alpha places his hands in his pockets and gives him the smallest of smiles. Gao Tu smiles back.

"Will you make it in time for the meeting?" He asks, worried after some moments.

The Alpha raises his eyebrow, looking at his watch. "I still have half an hour left. The office is nearby."

He doesn't know what else to say. "Thank you."

"It's fine. I need to be able to contact you for work."

Wen Lang takes a step closer.

"Yes. Thank you for the phone. Again."

"Don't pay me back."

They are so close, he can see every detail of that face that haunts and creates his dreams. He takes a step back even when all he wants to do is get closer.

"You must return to HS group now if you want to make it in time for the meeting."

"Yes," The Alpha nods, but he doesn't leave.

Gao Tu doesn't reply. The silence grows longer.

"Is there anything else you needed, President Shen?" The Alpha raises his eyebrow at the title. "We're not in– there. The title it's fine."

"No, it's not. We're out of the office."

Gao Tu looks away.

"Wen Lang."

The Alpha leaves with a nod after a long silence. Gao Tu looks at his confident stride as he disappears down the corridor. He takes a breath to steady himself before returning to his sister. 

So much for not thinking about Shen Wen Lang for the day.

"Who were you talking to?" Asks his sister as soon as he is back in the room.

"President Shen"

She frowns. "What did he want? Has he not have any shame?"

He shows her his phone. "He brought me my phone. I forgot it in his car earlier."

Her stern face smooths a little, but she still looks unconvinced.

"And you keep on defending him. He is like a child who can't stand to be alone or hates to do things by himself. He wants you with him at all times. If he weren't Omegaphobic, I would think he has a crush on you."

He freezes as he is sitting back of the chair next to her bed. 

It's not possible. It's not.

"I'm so glad he doesn't know you are an Omega." She continues. "I bet he would fire you and then– . What? What is that face for, Tu?"

He lowers his eyes. "He discovered that I'm one. Ten days ago."

She lowers the last piece of fruit she was eating. 

"And you didn't tell me? And he hasn't fired you or thrown a tantrum on the daily? How? Are you okay? How?"

He shakes his head. "It's a very long story."

She looks at him, "I have nothing but time, Tu."

Thankfully, they are interrupted by the nurse. He sends a thank you to whoever is listening. He will come up with something to tell her about what happened. Maybe just tell her they got trapped at the X hotel and his suppressants failed, and then he left. That is mostly what happened, well, kinda.

The exams for the day and the very small pre-procedure go very well. She is tired, but so happy to learn that this next Wednesday she will have her surgery. Gao Tu couldn't be happier. Soon she will be well. In nine days things will be so much better.

"So, what happened?" She asks as soon as the nurse leaves. At least she waited until they were alone to ask.

He feigns ignorance. "About what?"

"About your Omegaist boss learning you are one."

"That banquet at X hotel, well, I didn't feel well, and I had to–" thanks to the grace of anyone who is looking for him, perhaps his mother? He gets interrupted again. This time, by his phone ringing.

Wolf of wolves.

At least his sister didn't catch the name of who was calling. It's silly, and it's embarrassing. Maybe he should change it.

"President Shen?"

"Gao Tu. Can I visit your sister today?"

"You want to meet Gao Qing?"

She raises her eyebrows, but nods. She may not like the other Alpha, but he can see that she is curious. 

"Yes, that is why I asked if– Yes, I would like to meet her."

"Okay, I'll go pick you up to– "

"No need." Interrupts the Alpha and hangs up.

Gao Tu is left looking at his phone, then there's a knock on the door. Is he really there?

There he is, Shen Wen Lang, looking perfectly put together and untouchable at the door of his sister's hospital room. His worlds colliding.

The Alpha is holding a fresh bouquet of flowers in his arms, looking proud to offer it. He enters the room with a small smile and delivers them to Gao Qing.  He is in much of a shock to say much.

Shen Wen Lang stays for longer than he thought. Gao Qing doesn't look convinced, but she seems to be trying; he looks to be trying.

Why is Shen Wen Lang trying as well?

They both mean so much to him.

He shakes his head and looks at the clock. The visiting hours are about to end, and Qing must be exhausted after this day. He is exhausted already.

Before he can process what has happened, he has said goodbye to his sister, and Wen Lang is guiding him to his car to give him a ride home. How did he let himself be convinced of this?

"You don't have to take me home."

"I want to. Besides, your sister almost threatened me to take you back."

Gao Tu shakes his head, but gets in the car. This will not be a common thing.

Wen Lang turns on the car, and they drive in silence. The Alpha releases some soothing pheromones, just a small amount of Iris.

"Is this okay?" He asks.

Gao Tu nods. His eyes feel like closing, but he shouldn't. 

"Wen Lang?"

The Alpha hums in acknowledgment.

"Why did you visit her today?"

"I was already at HeCi for my yearly health check, remember? And today I realized that I have not met Gao Qing before. I thought it was time."

"Thank you."

The Alpha nods. A small smile on his face. It warms his heart to see those small but so real smiles on the Alpha. They're not that common anymore, but he treasures each one of them. He doesn't remember the last time The Alpha smiled this often.

"How did the health check go?"

"Good. As usual, you will receive the results of the blood and pheromones test tomorrow. No follow-up will be needed, but let me know what they say."

Gao Tu nods, making a mental note to check his work email just to make sure everything is alright with the Alpha. His mind immediately going into work mode. 

A call to the Alpha's phone interrupts his mental list of tasks he must do when he returns to work this Wednesday. Wen Lang accepts the call without looking at the name on there. 

It reads Lunatic. 

Who could it be?

"Shen Wen Lang." Says a familiar voice. Too familiar but different that what he has heard before. Is it... Hua Yong?

The Alpha immediately interrupts the greeting. "You are on speaker–, Secretary Hua."

Oh.

Hua Yong.

He is still in contact with him, and Wen Lang doesn't want him to say something specific in front of him. And the secretary calls him by his name.

His chest throbs.

"Good evening, Secretary Hua." Says Gao Tu, and he is ashamed of how much effort it takes to say those words.

"Secretary Gao?" Asks the other Omega, after a short silence, probably filled with curiosity. "What a nice surprise. Are you still at the office?"

"Likewise"

The Alpha shakes his head, probably annoyed at the niceties. "Im driving him home. What do you want, Hua Yong?"

It stings. Both the familiarity between them and the disdain Wen Lang has for the other Omega, he was supposed to like him as well. Will Wen Lang treat him this way if he grows tired of him?

"The X holdings CEO has requested all of the documentation related to the gland cancer treatment medication be updated to the results and protocol followed with the ShenFang President when he received it. After all of those leaks and theft, he wants everything to be clear."

"Sure" The Alpha grunts.

"By tomorrow "

"You can't fucking expect me to do it on–"

"There is nothing that can be done, he requires it." Interrupts the Omega softly, almost meek. "Perhaps secretary Gao may be able to help you, he is the only other allowed from your company to access those documents."

"He is on personal leave."

"I don't mind," says Gao Tu. He shouldn't, but he needs to do something.  Say something.

The secretary sighs in relief. "Thank you so much secretary Gao. What would President Shen do without you?"

The Alpha growls and hangs up the call.

Gao Tu frowns at him.

What was all of that?

"You don't have to help me, it will take hours."

"That's exactly why I need to help."

"Fine, but I'll pay you overtime. Double since it's your vacation. Don't say anything against it, or I'll make it triple."

He lowers his eyes, frustrated. He is thankful that Wen Lang wants to pay him fairly, but this feels that is already over than he deserves. 

The Alpha changes the course of their route, away from Gao Tu's home and back to his apartment now. It's more convenient.

"I'll go get dinner."

Gao Tu nods.

Frustration simmers inside of him. He appreciates the payment, but he is already getting paid more than he should. And Wen Lang... he is still in contact with Hua Yong, familiar comments, like banter. Do they truly have something?

He has to ask.

He cannot ask

Except he can. Wen Lang wanted to do it again with him, from time to time, he said. And if they were to sleep together, to have an arrangement. Then he can ask if the Alpha has others, right? 

Would it be out of line?

That is a normal thing to ask, right? He should be entitled to know if he has other partners, right? Not that they would be partners, but sharing a bed requires trust.

Except– they have not used protection once on the two occasions they have been intimate,  and if Wen Lang is already sleeping with another–

Shit

How can he be so stupid?

Also, if he is already in an intimate relationship with Secretary Hua would that make him a mistress? Is he already the other man? Or is it just something casual?

Heavens.

He doesn't think Wen Lang would be unfaithful, but at this moment, he needs answers.

He can get them.

By the time he works up the courage to ask, Wen Lang has arrived at the restaurant and is picking the order. His stomach growls at the smell. Thankfully, it's not too loud. The Alpha hands him the food and drives away. He holds the food in its warm bag for emotional support.

"Wen Lang?"

"Gao Tu." The Alpha smiles softly again, it almost makes him change his mind to see him so relaxed. 

Almost. 

"Tu?"

"You say you want me, that you don't like Omegas but you– like me."

The Alpha takes his eyes out of the road for a moment and nods.

"Yes."

"And you want to be like friends with benefits?"

That frown is back. His posture stiffening slightly, "I was thinking more like occasional lovers, but sure. Let's not make it complicated."

His heart skips a beat at that comment. Right, Simple.

Occasional lovers.

Lovers.

Lovers

"Okay, but before I make any decision... I need to know. Are you and Secretary Hua together?"

The Alpha looks at him in shock. Removing his eyes from the road, Gao Tu reminds him to drive, worried about the reaction. Thankfully, nothing happens during the brief moments when Wen Lang forgot to drive. Heavens, why that reaction? Was it too forward?

Is he not supposed to ask that?

"What? Why would you think that?"

That is not an answer.

"You two seem familiar with each other. And well, the comments you have made before about his scent and his heat spent with– you."

"Comments?" The Alpha shakes his head "You mean to Sheng Shaoyou?"

Gao Tu nods, regretting to ask with each second that passes.

"Fuck, those didn't mean anything, its– complicated. "

Oh, okay.

He gets it now.

He shouldn't have asked.

But at least he knows now.

Gao Tu doesn't want to look at him. He shouldn't have ever thought that he was different, or any of those stupid hopes he swore he wasn't going to have.

"We are friends, family friends really. I owed Hua Yong a favor. Multiple ones, it's complicated, really complicated. I can't really get into it, but there's nothing like that between us."

The Alpha shakes his head, making a face.

"I wouldn't touch that lunatic with a ten foot pole. And not because of his designation, of course."

Gao Tu nods. 

Could it be?

"I know it doesn't look like it, we have worked for it to not look like it, but there's nothing and there will never be between us."

"Okay."

"Okay?"

"Okay. I believe you" and he does. "Thank you for telling me."

He feels stupid now.

"Are you seeing anyone right now?" Asks the Alpha, his shoulders tense. "I mean since you are asking, do you have anyone?"

He shakes his head.

"Good."

They arrive at Wen Lang's building. Before he turns off the engine the Alpha turns to look at him and asks him to look at him.

"Listen, Tu. Everything I've said and implied with him– it's all fake. I wouldn't treat an omega, or anyone like that."

Gao Tu nods as a reply, unable to speak. They take the elevator to the apartment. His hands are not not shaking, so that is a win. 

If there is nothing happening with secretary Hua, then is he the only Omega that Wen Lang has wanted?

Too close.

The Alpha opens the door for him as he is still carrying the food in his arms. They settle in the dining room, laptops open and eating while working, the Alpha having changed his outfit to a casual one. 

The task is slightly complicated since most documents to complete this one are not completed yet, but they make do with what they have. After all, it is still a drug in medical trials yet.

The dinner is warm and nice.

The sound of typing and clinks of the cutlery against plates fills the room. They don't talk much, just sharing comments when necessary on the document.

He can feel that stare on him. It's on his hands or his neck at certain points, but it's softer somehow. The Iris scent slowly begins to fill the room, and Gao Tu can feel himself grow relaxed and warm with the content pheromones wafting in the air. He feels safe on evenings like these.

His pitiful Omega instincts want to have his scent on the air as well. Entangled as if they were mates. Unable to separate from the other.

He rubs his neck, his scent gland slightly swollen from being covered with the scent patch during the entire day. It's been more than twelve hours, it's time he changes it. He didn't plan to stay out at this hour so he did not get a new one at the hospital. 

Did he bring a replacement?

He should have, he's sure he has at least two in his backpack. He could also take another pill, but he has been feeling so much better by only taking one a day.

He discreetly smells his hand that touched the patch, just to make sure if the patch will last longer, they still have a couple more hours to go with this task. No, he has to change it. Soon.

The Alpha leaves the table silently, and Gao Tu follows him with his eyes. He takes advantage of his absence to look for it in his bag. Just as he finds it, the Alpha returns with a plastic bag he had seen him carry out of the car earlier.

Wen Lang places it on the table and makes a gesture to show him to open it. Gao Tu opens it and takes out a brand new scent patch box, 28 pieces. Premium brand, 8 hours instead of his preferred 12, but transparent soothing gel instead of the generic skin tone made of plastic.

The Alpha takes a deep breath, holding to the back of the chair.

"This is not me– assuming you will say yes to our arrangement, or wanting you to cover, but I want you to be comfortable here, and I'm not buying you more suppressants, because I still think–" he stops and takes a deep breath.

"I like your scent, I want to smell it, but if you're not comfortable with that I want you to have this in here if you want it. So– yeah."

He is so touched. He wants to kiss him, to hold Wen Lang and rub his scent all over him and nest in bed together. But he won't.

His ribs hurt from desperation. He wants to be with him like he has never felt before.

He wasn't even half as desperate even when he was in heat that night. 

He hopes his pheromones aren't leaking, because if he can assume anything by The Alpha's previous reactions, if he can smell him they wont be able to finish the report tonight. 

"Thank you. Truly" 

The Alpha shrugs. "It came with a sample size of a scent neutralizer spray. You can keep it as well. I almost finished yours yesterday."

He smiles slightly at remembering that moment. He wanted him then, he wanted him now.

He likes him.

Could they have this?

But is it just sex? Wen Lang can be cold, but he cares, he is good and kind on the inside. Is this something else or just him following his Alpha's instincts to protect and provide? to claim and mate?

He can't do this now.

They have to finish the documents.

He takes the box with him and hurries himself to the guest bathroom. He pulls away the old scent patch, it falls away easily after hours of being worn. It smells like sage and honey.

So eager to present himself to his Alpha.

Not his Alpha.

The new one feels nice on his skin, the gel is cool against his heated scent gland and the soothing ingredients are heavenly over it. He could almost purr.

He feels taken care of, he has never felt like this. He always takes care of people, but this is so different.

He wants to kiss Wen Lang and give him anything he wants. 

Everything.

But he can't do this right now.

He splashes himself with cold water and returns to the table.

"Thank you, they're– good."

The Alpha nods, typing away. He is still writing ad if nothing had happened, but it means everything to Gao Tu.

The sun was already down when they arrived here. Hours pass by. Just before midnight, the Alpha closes his laptop.

"I'm done. Just sent you the final version. When you review it we can print it and email it as well."

Gao Tu nods.

"Would you like to stay the night?" Asks The Alpha, looking at his phone.

He freezes. Shen Wen Lang has never offered that before.

"I'm not sure that would be a good idea."

The Alpha shakes his head, now looking at him. "I'm not suggesting anything. You can sleep in the guest room. It's just that it's late for you to return home at his hour."

"I'm not sure."

"Think about it."

He nods, returning his attention to the reports. His skin is buzzing.

The printer fails and they thinker with it for twenty minutes. Printers are such a hassle. They finally manage to fix and finish everything just after 1 am. There is a drizzle outside. Not quite dangerous to drive, but not ideal.

"Do you want me to drive you home?" Asks the Alpha.

He shakes his head. He will not look further into this. Tomorrow, tomorrow he will decide.

Tomorrow

They go to bed. Gao Tu goes to the guest room. He is given a guest pajama set and a toothbrush. He remembers choosing and buying these for the Alpha when he bought the apartment.  

He closes his door. 

He locks it

He unlocks it.

He lays down. The bed is soft, bigger than his. The room is well decorated, modern, tasteful, and impersonal. He charges his phone.

As soon as his head hits the pillow he starts thinking back to Wen Lang.

He is not in any kind of relationship with Hua Yong besides a completely platonic friendship. Or something like that. They didn't sound friendly. Why would an Omega that kind be friends with an Alpha like Shen Wen Lang?

Why is he an Omega, in love with an Alpha like Shen Wen Lang?

Wen Lang wants him; he wants to continue sleeping with him. He says he likes him.

What exactly does he mean with that? Just attraction? Feelings?

He called them occasional lovers.

Was all of this just today? He could swear an entire week has passed.

He could say yes, maybe they can have this. But if he accepts it and Wen Lang finds about his feelings and doesn't reciprocate them. He would lose him, and it would break him. Who is he kidding? Why would the Alpha truly like him?

Liking someone. He sounds like a highschooler. 

But what if it works out and Wen Lang does like him?

But this is not a Romcom.

He shakes his head and lies on his side instead.

A soft noise outside his door catches his attention. Wen Lang? Is he going to come in?

He is not sure he could say no, now if he tried anything right now.  He is still so touched by the scent patches. He felt so seen.

Almost accepted.

On the small space between the door and floor, he can see Wen Lang retreat and walk away from the door. He leaves without knocking.

He checks on his phone. Maybe Wen Lang sent a message? But he didn't. The phone's battery is halfway charged.

What will he do?

He has never been able to tell that man no. It's his job and his privilege to keep Wen Lang happy, and he wants this as well.

Realistically, and knowing himself, he will say yes, but he wants to believe that he can say no to Shen Wen Lang. That he can make the smart choice.

Maybe he will say no.

Maybe.

He should try to sleep instead of thinking of Wen Lang.

The ceiling is nice, clean. Minimalist. Bare.

He helped pick the colors for the guest room.

Wen Lang met his sister today. And he brought her flowers. He brought him his forgotten phone when he didn't need to.

He got him a new phone and scent patches.

Could he maybe feel–? No, he can't afford to get hopeful. If Wen Lang were to have feelings for him, then he would deal with that when that happens, but now there are no what-ifs.

He looks at the clock on the wall. Almost an hour has passed, and he is not able to fall asleep yet.

There are soft steps outside his door again. They stop. He can see the familiar shadow underneath the door. The Alpha doesn't knock or make any noise.

Gao Tu remains immobile. A part of him wishes to get up and pull the door open and pull him closer. Invite him in, to the room, to his bed.

He shouldn't.

There is a soft thud against the door, but it is not a knock. Gao Tu stares at the door as if he tried hard enough, he could see through it. As if he could learn what the Alpha is thinking, what he is feeling. If there are any feelings for him.

Shen Wen Lang stays outside for at least ten minutes.

He leaves eventually.

Come back. He thinks.

He almost gets up and asks him to come in.

Almost.

He lays back down again. He checks his phone, the battery is full now.

How long has he been lying awake thinking about his boss? About the only Alpha he has ever wanted. 

The only man he has ever loved.

Shen Wen Lang got him scent patches. Good quality ones. He doesn't like him masking his scent, and how strange that sounds. Wen Lang likes his scent.

And yet he got him some patches to make him comfortable. There is guilt there, yes, but he cares.

He does care.

Before he can react to what he is doing, he is already out of his bed and leaving the room. He pads in hurried, but quiet steps to the Alpha's bedroom. 

He finds the door partially open. 

Is it an invitation?

He knocks either way. He may be ruining everything, but he needs this. He is being guided by his instincts only for once in his life.

The Alpha sits in his bed.

"Gao Tu?"

"Can I sleep here?"

Shen Wen Lang is nodding before he is done asking the question, scooting to the side of the bed to make space for him. His hair is not perfect, he looks softer.

He places his phone on the nightstand, next to Wen Lang's.

The bed is even softer; it's warm.

"This doesn't mean anything," He says and feels Wen Lang nod against his skin. "I still haven't decided yet.

"I know," Replies the Alpha, his strong arms embracing him, his nose placed next to his covered scent gland. "Is this okay?"

Gao Tu nods.

They fall asleep together. Warm between each other's arms.

Gao Tu woke up on his back, the Alpha using him as a pillow, holding him down as if he were to run away. His nose hidden on his neck, the scent patch about to give up with the gentle caresses from the nose of the Alpha against it. He must have been rubbing at it during his sleep.

He blinks at the light coming from the window, then at the Alpha sleeping over him. They seem to always wake up in the same position, not that this is that common. And yet, he does like being held, keeping warm and safe. 

Nest. Provides his brain. Wen Lang makes him feel just as warm and safe as a nest should.

Now, in the morning light, he is not sure he should stay there. He tries to push the Alpha away.

He could feel a hard member against his leg.

Oh

He could– they could. But he is not sure yet.

Well, his heart is sure. His brain not so much.

He is not ready to surrender yet.

Shen Wen Lang had driven him to the hospital. They had had a nice and quiet breakfast that Gao Tu had insisted on cooking, and he had taken a shower there, the scent neutralized spray had come in handy again. At least since he didn't have a lot of clothes, his sister was not too suspicious about him wearing the same clothes from the day before.

He was not going to try to explain this mess of a situation he was in. 

They had a long day ahead, with multiple tests. Long ones. Also, he was certain his sister would ask again.

Gao Qing was at least excited. If things were right today, then she could have her surgery soon. This next Wednesday. He was a little hopeful. They traveled from exam room to exam room.

His phone had to be left outside of the magnetic room, the room cold and vibrating from time to time from the machine's movements. The last and most important exam lasted longer than he had hoped, and yet as he stood next to the technician who explained everything, his tentative hope grew.

He had barely made it out of the room when the phone on his hand was already vibrating. He had just taken it back from the protected box.

19 unread messages from Wolf of Wolves

10 missed calls from Wolf of Wolves

2 missed video calls from Wolf of Wolves

A new message from Wolf of Wolves

What is happening?

Chapter Text

Wolf of Wolves.

Please reply tu Ate you OK?

Gao Tu reads the last message.  Of course, he is fine. Why wouldn't he be? Did something happen? His stomach feels uneasy. Is Wen Lang okay? He never types like this.

His sister is waiting for him to take her back to the hospital room, patiently sitting in her wheelchair. He can't read while he drives her, but he will read all of the messages and call the Alpha as soon as they are in the room. He is worried, his stomach feeling funny. 

Is Wen Lang okay?

The sound of hurried steps as they walk around the last corner to her room catches his attention. Not normal steps, familiar even if different. Wen Lang? Suddenly, there he is in front of him, a couple of meters away, rushing towards them. 

Wen Lang almost running towards him, his eyes half-crazed.

"Him?" Half whispers his sister. "What is he doing here?"

"President Shen?" He starts asking, and suddenly he is being ripped away from the wheelchair and held so tight between strong and suddenly familiar arms. A familiar and warming Iris scent enveloping him, covering him from head to toe. He would be worried about the power of those pheromones in the hospital, but he can feel how they are filled with worry and evolving to protective ones as they reach his nose.

The Alpha's nose touches his neck, immediately seeking comfort in him. Does Wen Lang really want him? Seeking true comfort through him and his scent? One thing is for him to be fine with his scent, to like it even, but this–

He pushes the thoughts about the hug and comfort away; his alpha is not fine. He can smell the fear and worry. What happened?

"Wen Lang, what happened?" He asks as he feels the desperate puffs of air on his neck, trying to catch his masked scent. He can't just remove the patch here… the hallway is empty besides them three, but–

The arms around him pull him closer, and he hugs back. He had never been this close while wearing clothes. He had never seen the Alpha this way before. Always composed, always in control.

This is something else. He needs to fix this.

"A-Lang?" The arms around him tighten, and he lets go with one hand from the gentle hold around the Alpha. After a moment of indecision, he begins to gently pull on his own patch, small movements, compromising to have only half an inch lifted from his skin. 

The Alpha's body tenses and then relaxes as soon as he can smell him. That nose immediately dives in to access his scent as close as he can. He isn't that good at using soothing pheromones, but he tries. 

They seem to work.

As the Alpha melts into him and rubs himself with the sage scent, he worries he is going to be scented or kissed right at this moment in front of his sister. He is not sure which one would be worse. Not that having the Alpha rubbing himself all over his scent is good, but at least he is not being scented, right?

He can feel his sister's eyes on them. He does not want to look at her just to see the confusion, or worse, suspicion in her eyes.

Is there any way that he can explain this? Perhaps if–

And then there it is, Wen Lang is scenting him, it's semi-discreet, but still, this is too much, they are in the middle of the hallway!

"Wen Lang!" He hisses, pushing the Alpha slightly away, even if this is making his inner omega purr and want to present his neck to his Alpha. Something he always wanted and never dared to wish on.

"There was an earthquake," says the Alpha after a long moment, his nose and lips no longer touching his neck. He shivers. "It was way stronger than the one before. I wasn't sure if you were still here. The epicenter was around your home."

Oh.

"Nothing happened. We're fine." He says, trying to keep his voice soft, but he feels rattled as well.

"You weren't replying to your phone." Complaints the Alpha. Slowly leaving his hiding spot in his neck. Gao Tu immediately reaches for his neck and covers himself again. He doesn't miss the small frown on the Alpha's face when he does so.

"I was in the exam room. No phones allowed for magnetism if I'm correct."

The Alpha nods. His expression was slowly being put back together. If he had not seen or smelled it before, he wouldn't have believed. 

Does he truly care that much?

He cares, but to that level?

"That is quite considerate coming from you, President Shen." Says his sister, her eyes unreadable from her spot away from them. Still sitting in her wheelchair, her arms crossed. 

The Alpha takes a step back, putting his tie back into place and looking at the space between them. Gao Tu takes his own step back.

"I was– worried. We are school friends."

Gao Tu nods.

"What a considerate boss you are."

When Lang stares at her for a moment, his hands in his pockets now. "Secretary Gao is a valuable employee and quite– responsible. He wasn't replying to his phone; that is odd."

"Of course he is. Anyone would be lucky to have him, as an employee."

He sends an anxious look to his sister. Does she know? Is she suspicious? He would be too after the puppy show, the Alpha pulled. It was almost sweet, fuck. He can't do this now. Please leave it, he begs with his eyes when she meets his eyes.

She lets it go

For now

"We are done for the day with the tests, but I'm bringing her dinner." Says Gao Tu. Now that the charged moment is over, he cannot help but feel self-conscious.

Was Shen Wen Lang that worried for him? Truly?

He cares, of course, he does

But, to that extent?

He is just repeating himself. Does it matter?

He is just going in circles and not reaching any conclusion. 

Shen Wen Lang nods to both of them, composed and powerful as ever. Gao Tu walks away and turns to steer the wheelchair and leave the hallway with his sister, as they are still in the middle of it. He didn't want to attract attention, and then the Alpha gets in the way and drives his sister instead, gently pushing away his hands.

"Let me."

"Thank you." The siblings say, her voice unconvinced, and Gao Tu's touched.

Could he fall in love when already in love?

They leave Gao Qing in her bed to rest. As they leave to go to the cafeteria, she sends him a look, and he shakes his head as the Alpha walks ahead of him.

Later.

He is not sure he could explain it at this moment.

He is not sure if Wen Lang would be able to explain himself either. Could anyone explain this?

As soon as the door closes behind them, the Alpha turns in a blink and holds him again. He is warm and so familiar already.

"I'm fine."

"I know." Says the Alpha, but he doesn't let go. "I thought something had happened."

He takes a step back, still holding Gao Tu by the shoulders, staring at him with such intensity, and looking so vulnerable for what he is used to.

"Fuck, Tu. I– "

"You don't have to explain." He soothes.

The Alpha shakes his head, his eyes losing some focus. "You've always been there immediately, and I thought– I thought something had happened to you. "

Gao Tu hugs him again. This time, he is the one to hold.

Wen Lang is going to kill him

How he reacts. How he cares, the way he looks at him.

Fuck, the emotion in those eyes.

He can't dare to put a name on it. But could he?

It's not possible. Is not.

He lets go as soon as he feels himself start to shake. They walk next to each other to the cafeteria. Their hands gently touching each other as they walk side by side. He is almost sure it is not an accident when it keeps happening.

Almost.

The cafeteria is mostly empty, only a couple of the hospital nurses chatting at the end of it and an old couple eating by the windows. Wen Lang insists on paying; he is not surprised. Still, he refused to have him pay, but the Alpha places a lot of items on the tray, and he insists that most of them are just for him. He says it makes sense for him to pay for the fruit for Gao Qing.

It doesn't.

But he lets him. It makes his insides warm with how pleased the Alpha looks. Also, he may let him win this with how shaken he had looked before. Gao Tu may as well let him follow his Alpha instincts to provide. Not that he is his Omega to provide to.

As the Alpha hands the beta cashier his black card, he spots a hint of red on the sleeve of the green designer suit.

"Is that Blood?" He asks as soon as the cashier looks back into his small TV on the counter.

The Alpha packs the food into the bag in silence, his expression closed of. Wen Lang hands him the fruit box for Qing and two Juice bottles. The same brand and flavor as the one from ten years ago. The Alpha keeps one and opens it.

He feels his heart still.

For him.

As they leave the cafeteria, the Alpha offers to help him with the bottles. He refuses, clutching them closer.

"It's not mine– the blood. It's Hua Yong's. "

His head spins, and his neck hurts from how fast he turns toward the Alpha.

Something happened to Secretary Hua?

Heavens, that is why he had been so shaken.

"Is he alright?"

"Just out of surgery, still unconscious. A library fell on him and Sheng Shao You."

"Will he be alright?"

He and Hua Yong are not close, respectfully friendly towards each other. He had been jealous. He can admit that, but he never wished anything bad to happen to the other Omega. He was good and efficient. They worked well together, not being the only omega anymore, even when he was jealous, he could appreciate him.

The Alpha sighs. "The little lunatic is strong, but he had a fucking rebar on his back. He took it out."

How on earth?!

How is he still alive?

President Sheng must be sick with worry.

"And yet he still cared about his Mr. Sheng instead. The rabid dog only had minor injuries, nothing compared to him."

"He is in love. Is he not?" He would be the same for Wen Lang. 

"Yes. He is. Stupid"

Yes, love can make you stupid.

Make stupid things.

Like, get hopeful for the bare minimum and then have your soul crushed, and yet stay there for months or years more. He lets the pain go, just as he has done dozens of times before.

How many times more?

"Is President Sheng going to be alright?"

"Chang Yu said he was going to be released tomorrow."

"Why was Secretary Chang from X Holdings there?"

The Alpha tenses. His steps falter for a brief moment.

"It's complicated." He huffs. "Why are you asking about Sheng Shao You? Do you like him?"

Oh, Shen Wen Lang, don't do this to him now. Not now.

Why, just after breaking his heart, does he say things that sound so close to jealousy?

Why?

Sometimes he wonders if he learnt of being in love with Shen Wen Lang when he first felt his heart broken by him?

At that moment, he is not even thankful that Shen Wen Lang's brain seems to make jumps in logic that send him far away from the truth when his feelings are involved. Keeping him away from his truth.

But he is tired.

He had thought about quitting once.

Twice, actually.

Is third the charm?

"No."

The Alpha stops and gently grabs him by the arm, making him look back. "You said you weren't seeing anyone. Or sleeping with them."

"I'm not," He says, his voice clipped.

He is so tired.

"But do you like anyone else?"

"No. Wen Lang, I don't like any of them."

"But– "

Something snaps in him.

"Stop." He hisses and enters the elevator to go to his sister's floor. "I believed you when you told me you didn't have anything with Secretary Hua. Why do you keep on insisting on this Shen Wen Lang?"

The Alpha looks stunned.

"I– don't know."

And isn't that worse than having an answer?

He shakes his head, a tired and sad smile on his face, while he is cleaning his glasses instead of looking at the Alpha. Why is he doing this to himself? He should be focusing on his sister.

He is going to say no.

He can't keep dealing with this.

The fight leaves his body. Leaving him empty.

He had been tired for so long, waiting there for the Alpha to look at him, give him another hit, barely crumbs. Never something. 

And yet he stays.

Why does he?

Is truly his love for Wen Lang this?

"I don't like the idea of you liking anyone else. Of you being with anyone else. It drives me crazy," Confesses the Alpha.

His heart gets squished between his ribs. It hurts, it truly hurts his insides.

"I just– Fuck." The Alpha hits the wall. "I want you, Tu. I like you. I've never wanted anyone or felt this craving or anything close to this. Ever."

Gao Tu nods to the wall, not looking at him.

"I'm trying, Tu. You know that, right?"

"Yes."

He is tired. So tired.

His eyes hurt.

His ribs hurt.

He gives the fruit and both juices to his sister. She accepts all of it and tries to make him chat, but she can clearly feel the tension. He swears to her its because he is tired from all of tests. He insists she should rest. 

He promises to visit tomorrow after work.

Wen Lang stays quiet, sat next to him. 

They leave together and in silence.

"Let me take you home." Says the Alpha.

He does his best to steady his breathing and steps. To not show any of his pain. 

"No. Thank you."

"Are you sure? It's better and faster than the bus. It's late."

"I want to walk."

"Let me take you, Gao Tu," insists the Alpha, his voice still calm. 

"Why?" Asks Gao Tu, his voice tight.

"I want to spend time with you."

Something breaks inside of him permanently. It's so hard and fast that he doesn't have time to think about what he is saying. Words just leaving his mouth.

"Well, I don't want to!"

The Alpha looks taken aback, his face going stern. His eyes losing that playful banter they had before.

Without saying goodbye, the Alpha walks away, leaving him alone in the parking lot.

With that, he starts walking home. Well, to the bus stop two blocks away, but home.

Is he exaggerating?

He lost it when Wen Lang was just trying to be kind. 

The Alpha never promised anything, just wanted sex. But would that be so bad? It is not a good idea, and he knows it.

It's not fair. Why did he have to fall for a man who despises the idea of love?

Tomorrow, after he has calmed down, he will talk to President Shen and decline the offer.

It is not what he wants, but it is the best course of action. The best thing for his sister, for his cramping stomach–, probably due to stress, and for himself.

Has he ever truly put himself first?

Perhaps only when hiding his designation. 

A car drives slowly next to him. He tenses; he doesn't look like an omega, but still, someone could try anything at this hour. He looks at it discreetly through the corner of his eye, ready to bolt if necessary.

Wen Lang.

"Talk to me, Tu." Says the Alpha as he opens the passenger's window and slows down to his pace.

He sighs. "President Shen, please. I am quite tired. We can talk tomorrow at work."

"President? Gao Tu, what happened? Please talk to me." Is not fair how worried he sounds.

He can't even be allowed a night on his own to process what he is feeling. To decide exactly what he is going to do.

One night, Shen Wen Lang. That is all that he is asking for. Not a ring, a mark, or 15% of the company, just one night on his own to understand.

"If you don't want to talk– fine. But let me take you home. It's late, and your home is not in a nice place. Let me take you, please."

A strangled sound is forced out of him. The dam breaking.

"And now you care." So many nights, so many times going back to his unsafe home; no matter the weather, no matter what he felt or how he felt. His health, his heart.

He can't keep on holding this farce together. He is a farce. 

Wen Lang follows him as Gao Tu begins to walk faster until he reaches a dead end just before the bus stop. At least he can't follow him anymore after this point.

The Alpha parks and leaves the car, reaching him in a few strides. The driver's door left open. His eyes too wide and almost–

He takes a step back.

"Gao Tu, what did I say?"

"Nothing." He sighs, pained. He is about to break, he is not sure what happened, but he doesn't have the strength in him to lie anymore. "That's the point."

"I don't understand."

He is done, so done. 

So tired of running, of hiding.

He is sorry for loving him, for making it this way. Making it this complicated.

But secrets and lies can't be kept forever, right? Even his designation is not a secret anymore. And even if he never wanted to be outed as an Omega to his boss, it had been so freeing to not hide it anymore, to not poison himself with pills and chemicals every hour to hide it from the omega-hating Alpha

But it's over, isn't it?

He doesn't have it in himself to keep hiding, to keep lying.

"Hypothetically. If an Omega had feelings for you. What would you do?"

The Alpha looks at him, silence between them.

It's done, he did it. He ruined it.

No more possible arrangement.

No more lies

No more secrets

"I don't like Omegas, Gao Tu. But I like you. Isn't that enough?"

"What do you mean by that? What does it mean to you?" His voice breaks; he needs answers. He needs to know even when he already knows his feelings are not returned.

Unrequited.

Unwanted.

"Is it you? The hypothetical Omega, Gao Tu?"

"What would you do?" He begs.

"I don't know." He confesses.

Gao Tu nods, his eyes down. "Exactly. "

He can feel tears in his eyes. This time, he doesn't have the strength to stop them.

"Tu–"

"I'm sorry that I like you, Shen Wen Lang. I truly like you."

The Alpha lowers the hand he had raised, the hand that was reaching towards him gone.

He had almost had it.

Almost.

But not really.

"I don't know how I feel. If I can feel it."

Gao Tu nods again, a sad smile on his face.

That is it. 

There, he has his answer he asked for. He nods.

"Take care, Wen Lang."

With that, he leaves, his steps hurrying away from the only man he has ever loved.

The only one he probably will love.

A single tear falls from his face. So similar to that night at the X hotel.

Fitting.

He opens his door feeling numb, the place is silent, cold, and dark. He doesn't shower, just removes his clothes, and crawls into his bed. He still smells a little of Iris from those hugs and light scenting earlier.

So pathetic.

He hugs a pillow and curls on himself. wishing for a proper nest for once.

He finally breaks.

Tears falling down his face as he hugs the pillow that still smells like Wen Lang from that night he spent here.

It hurts

He is empty

He ruined and ended things, but he knows now that the Alpha doesn't have any feelings for him.

He laugh-cries until his head hurts and he passes out from exhaustion. 

In the morning, he doesn't have any strength or desire to go to work. He turns off his phone and skips work. He will deal with it tomorrow.

He should quit

He is not sure if he has the strength to do so.

He has always been so weak when it comes to anything related to Wen Lang. 

He forces himself to leave the bed, drink some water, and shower. The cold water at least helps him to process that he is alive. His heart is broken, his ribs hurt, and his stomach is in knots. He is broken. His heart is broken, and yet he is still alive.

He survived this.

He lost, and he is alive.

He has lost his– he has lost Wen Lang. Well, technically, he left, but yes, he has lost Wen Lang, and even though he feels underwater and disconnected, a part of him cannot help but feel relief. 

It's done, nothing to hide or run from.

He chose himself for once.

His sister will be proud, well, if he ever tells her.

Wen Lang was his Alpha, but he was never Wen Lang's Omega.

He dresses and opens his laptop. It's late now, and he should be starting his shift already, but he ignores it. He opens the document of the resignation letter he had drafted before, when his designation had been revealed. So long ago.

He changes a thing or two and sends it.

He quit

Unemployed, but free. He is too exhausted to process it.

His sister is happy to see him, just as he is her, of course. He tries his best to hide his situation, but she knows him. He uses work as an explanation, and she lets it go for the day. He knows she wants to know, to help, but he can't force himself to share.

His phone is turned back on. No missed messages.

He is not surprised.

He is done for the day at the hospital. Gao Qing is still a little tired from the day before. He should go home. He doesn't want to go back there. Is it really home?

He finds himself wandering outside the hospital when Secretary Chen spots him. 

Oh, that's right, President Sheng was hospitalized.

After mandatory pleasantries and small talk, he finds himself being convinced to visit the Alpha. He buys a small and manly bouquet for him. 

"Secretary Gao." Greets the Alpha. "How nice of you to visit. Did Hua Yong ask you to come?"

He freezes by the foot of the bed.

What does he mean? He and Secretary Hua are not close. He has not visited the other omega yet. He should.

Chen Pin Ming shakes his head beside him. Explaining that he had run into him and believed the Alpha would surely appreciate some answers from him.

Answers? 

What has he missed? Wen– Wen Lang had said Hua Yong had been alright. Did something happen?

"I was visiting my sister." He explains, while placing the bouquet down, his eyes down. Ready to leave if requested. "She is hospitalized here."

"You have an ill sister here? How interesting."

Gao Tu frowns, and the Alpha signals for Secretary Chen to leave them alone.

What?

"Tell me, Secretary Gao. Did you know Hua Yong is not an Omega?"

"Secretary Hua is not an Omega?" He asks. His voice raising, way too rudely for a hospital. "Sorry, what is he then?"

A Beta?

But that would be too ironic. 

It doesn't fit. What is he? Why did he lie?

"S-class Alpha. I take it you didn't know it, then."

Gao Tu shakes his head, too out of his depth.

Hua Yong is an Alpha? How is that possible?

No wonder he and Wen Lang never–

Wen Lang was never friends with an Omega.

His chest throbs.

The Alpha didn't know what he would do if an Omega had feelings for him. 

At least he left in time.

At least he left at all.

Yes, Wen Lang may have liked him a little, but he doesn't like Omegas.

"I had thought that being the personal and executive secretary of President Shen would give you access to this info on the elusive X holdings CEO. "

He shakes his head, too confused by all of this new information and the emotional exhaustion from the mess of the night before to properly school his expressions. The last twenty-four hours have been too much for his system. 

"I don't have access to any of those personal matters. I just learnt that they are childhood friends yesterday."

"Friends?"

Shit. He thought he knew after the comment on being an Alpha.

It was complicated, indeed.

How many things had Shen Wen Lang kept from him?

Not that he was entitled to know any of it.

The Alpha hums in thought.

"You should consider your loyalty to a boss who doesn't share any of that with their trusted secretary. I should have known his disgust for Omegas wouldn't make Hua Yong an exception."

It stings on the fresh wound.

Gao Tu lowers his gaze. Suddenly feeling self-conscious. "I'm no longer working at HS group, President Shen. I sent the resignation letter just this morning."

"How interesting. Can I ask why?"

"Personal matters."

The Alpha nods. His gaze softening slightly.

"Your jacket smells like Iris. If you wish to keep those personal matters private, I would advise washing it."

Gao Tu can feel himself pale and blush at the same time, leaving him dizzy. He needs to leave.

"I appreciate it. I hope you get better soon, President Shen."

The Alpha nods, taking a card from his jacket by the bed.

"Thank you for your concern, but I am well and about to get discharged." He hands him a card. "There are multiple positions available for someone as valuable as you at ShenFang. I cannot offer the same pay, but sixty percent of it with health insurance for your sister is a good deal."

He should put himself first. And he needs a job. His sisters need him.

He takes it.

"I'll think about it."

"Yo do that. After all of these lies, I am looking to surround myself with loyal and honest people, not liars about their designations."

He hesitates for a brief moment. But apparently long enough for the Alpha to pick on it.

"What?"

Could he?

Should he?

Fuck it!

No longer running, he said.

"I am an Omega, actually, President Sheng."

The Alpha blinks at him and then sighs.

"Of course you are. I imagine this is not public information for me to not have noticed it before. Private matters as well?"

"Yes– for my safety. "

"Of course. Let me know if you are interested in a position at ShengFang."

He nods and leaves the room.

At least he has a job offer now. He doesn't know how to feel about it.

How to feel about the last twenty-four hours.

Wen Lang.

Always going back to Shen Wen Lang.

He shakes his head

Could he get some answers?

He types and sends a text before he can lose the will to do it.

User.

Hello, Secretary Hua! I heard of the accident. Would you like to have some visits today? I hope you are healing well.

The reply arrives within a minute.

Secretary Hua

That would be lovely, Secretary Gao.

Room 903 ♡

He buys another arrangement. Should he get one fit for an Omega? He settles for a fruit arrangement instead. Neutral

He knocks before he enters the room, considering leaving the fruit and bolting, but he won't. The– Alpha? Lets him in.

Hua Yong barely gives a look at his neutral smile and the arrangement in his hands, and gives a sigh. His voice and smile losing some of its warmth. Its odd.

"Ah, so you know now."

He doesn't allow himself to slip.

"What are you talking about, Secretary Hua?"

The secretary leans his head to the side. A cold smile decorating his pretty face.

"You are not good at lying, Secretary Gao. I'm quite surprised that even with Wen Lang's blind trust and slow mind, it took him so long to figure it out."

Oh. So it's true.

This is not the man he knew before. Not at all.

"What brings you here to visit me?" The not omega signals to the chair. Not a question.

Predator. His instincts scream.

He wants to run

He sits instead.

"I heard a library fell on you, Secretary, Hua. I wanted to wish you a speedy recovery."

"I'll be released by the end of the week. Free to pursue my Mr. Sheng again."

He nods, feeling uncomfortable. Why did he think this would be a good idea?

A part of him is still jealous, and the other is stunned at the pride, the pure lack of shame Hua Yong shows when speaking about his feelings. He could never.

"That is good."

This is awkward.

He feels the dark eyes fixed on the card from President Sheng, safely kept in his breast pocket from his jacket.

When he turns back from the door, considering to leave; Hua Yong has placed his cellphone back. Locking it. Was he texting someone?

"What do you wish to ask, Gao Tu? Why are you really here?"

How is he so receptive? So smart to all of this?

"I just wished to know if it was true..."

"That I'm no Omega? Yes, Enigma." He smiles proudly, his eyes sharp and deep. "And this visit doesn't have anything to do with a certain S-class Alpha with the emotional capacity of a coconut cut in half for a cold beverage?"

He shakes his head.

He doesn't wish to talk about it more.

"Don't get me wrong, Omega." So he knows. Of course, he knows. He briefly wonders if Wen Lang told him or did he find it out on his own.

Is– Was Hua Yong the person Wen Lang was calling at that time, after he wasn't allowed to quit? That friend who reminded them about protection? How much does he know?

"I couldn't care less about the love life of you two, but he makes it my issue when he climbs into my room at midnight to whine about how you declined his advances because he is unable to accept he has a crush on you and you left. Congratulations, of course."

He shakes his head. "He doesn't– "

The enigma sighs dramatically, interrupting him.

"And you are just the same, how fitting. Well, he makes it confusing for you, to be fair. But he is interrupting my courting to my Mr. Sheng, and the required planning to get him back." He signals to the letters in his lap. "And all just to insist that he is not having an internal crisis because you quit this morning via email."

"So yes. You two are making your secondary couple issues my issue, and I do not have time for it."

"I had to quit." Replies Gao Tu. Unable to provide any other explanation.

He isn't sure what is more confusing; all of the complaints and unbelievable things coming from Secretary Hua's mouth, or the stark change of personality. 

"And I respect you for that, you lasted an entire decade by his side, you should get a medal for it. I will get you one." He closes the letter he just finished and starts a new one. "But by quitting, that brainless manchild will not leave me alone. To be fair, that is the only way he will realize his feelings. He has to lose you first, admirable tactic. Except is not one. Is it?"

He doesn't have feelings.

He doesn't

"He doesn't have feelings for me."

The Enigma rolls his eyes.

"And now, my dear Mr. Sheng has offered you a position by his side. Has he not? Always so kind."

He freezes in his seat. "It is just work. I am not interested in him in any way."

"I am aware. You are too loyal to Shen Wen Lang, even though you have never been together. And he has been to you as well, the only Omega he has allowed in his life and in his bed. Tell me, Secretary Gao. How do you feel knowing you took his first time?"

He didn't

Did he take– ?

FUCK

"That's enough, Hua Yong." Says Shen Wen Lang from the door. His posture tense.

Their eyes meet

He lowers his eyes

He had hoped to not see him today

Still, his heart beats faster, and not just from fright.

"Just because your Alpha is not replying to your messages doesn't mean you can be a bitch to all of us, you fucking Lunatic."

"Says Mr. I will emotionally abuse an entire population because of my mommy issues. You are almost thirty, Wen Lang. Go to therapy. "

Heavens. How did he ever think that they were ever together?

He fidgets in his seat. Ready to excuse himself to leave.

The Enigma's eyes focus on him again. Pinning him to the spot.

"We are not done yet, former Secretary Gao. Now that you are free of any work responsibilities, I would like to hire you as a consultant."

He hears a low growl from the other side of the room.

But it can't be.

"Consultant? For what?"

"Emotional advice. My Mr. Sheng is kind and soft hearted. I would appreciate your input on how to get back into his favor. I have letters and flowers handdled, but it may require more–  vulnerability. You are an Omega and my inspiration."

He shakes his head. "I don't think I can be of any help with it."

"Nonsense, you have forgiven worse before. I'll text you the details."

He blinks at the angelic figure with such a sharp tongue sitting on the bed.

This is way too out of his control.

"I should go. I have to check on my sister."

The Enigma reaches out, that delicate hand holding his wrist with an iron grip.

"Stay a moment longer. Tell me how unrequited love feels, I need it to gain Mr. Sheng's sympathy for him to reply."

He cannot help but gasp as it slapped.

The Alpha is between them in a second, gripping Hua Yong's hand.

"Enough."

The Enigma smiles sweetly at them. His eyes full of mirth. 

"Take care, former secretary Gao."

He nods as he makes his way out of the room and the hospital.

He is at the bus stop when his phone rings.

Wolf of Wolves.

He declines the call.

It rings again. He lets it ring. It stops and rings again. He silences it.

He makes it into his bus, and by the time he is sitting he has typed a new name and silenced Wen Lang.

New username. Don't pick up

He shakes his head and leaves turns his phone on do not disturb for everyone except his sister and the hospital. The phone Shen Wen Lang gifted him.

The next day he spends with his sister. She is in a better mood and chats happily with him. He admits he quit, but refuses to let her know more. Maybe one day. She can't hide her curiosity or happiness from it.

The third day after quitting, he visits again, careful not to run into anyone.

He is lucky this time, at least. He cleans his apartment and, not having anything to do, he has an early dinner. Instant Ramen.

A text from Hua Yong pulls him away from his noodles.

Secretary Hua

Tomorrow at 9 am? 5k for your advice.

Is he serious? He ignores it and ten minutes later he receives another text.

Secretary Hua

10k, then? You have forgiven that dense Alpha before. I need to know how, so my Mr. Sheng forgives me. Might as well get paid for it.

Secretary Hua

So?

He shakes his head, but replies.

User.

9 am

His bank's app chimes in with a notification of 10k being transferred to him. He really wasn't kidding, probably making sure he doesn't back out.

Shen Wen Lang may not be perfect, but he had been correct in calling Hua Yong a lunatic. Still, he is confused about how they are friends. They seem to trust each other to show bad sides and bant, but is that all?

Fuck, and there he is thinking about Shen Wen Lang again.

At least it's been only three days, and not three years. That would be pathetic.

He sighs, getting up to clean the dishes. It's not even eight yet, but he will go to bed already. There is not much to be done. He will get into trouble for not giving a two-week notice, but at this exact moment, he cannot worry about it. 

He is not sure if Wen– if President Shen will do anything about it. HE is not sure about what is true anymore. 

His chest feels empty, and his heart is not beating correctly.

He hurts, and at the same time he doesn't.

His phone vibrates again.

What does Hua Yong want now? He already agreed.

Do not reply.

What the fuck is this that you are going to work with Sheng Shaoyou!

He locks his phone again.

Do not reply

Gao Tu. Don't work with that toilet cleaner dick. You heard me!

Do not reply

Gao Tu

Do not reply

Don't do it.

Do not reply

He just wants to get back at me and Hua Yong for his lies!

He blocks Shen Wen Lang with a silent sigh and a pang in his chest. 

He goes to bed.

He falls asleep between nightmares and strange dreams. He doesn't remember any of it.

A pounding in his head wakes him up. Its just past midnight. 

Someone is pounding on his door as well.

He doesn't need to check the window to know it's Wen Lang.

What is he doing here?

He hides behind his bookshelf, but it doesn't cover much.

"I can see you, Gao Tu. Open the door, we need to talk."

He pretends he didn't hear it.

"I can see you, Gao Tu."

He shakes his head, looking at the wall instead of the window with the Alpha there.

What does he want?

"Omega," Growls the Alpha. A hint of submitting pheromones being released on the air.  little of Alpha command in his voice as well. At least he is upset enough for his legs to not feel weal when hearing that voice.

Fuck.

He sighs frustrated. How dare he?

He walks to the door.

"Finally," grumbles the Alpha.

Just to spite him, he diverts to grab a water bottle from his kitchen and also a scent patch from his table. He takes his time drinking the water. He almost returns to his bed.

Almost.

He looks at the scent patches in his hand. They're not as good as the ones the Alpha had gotten for him… It doesn't matter!

He places the patch on his nape, and opens the door after taking a gulp of water. He leaves through the door quickly to avoid having the Alpha try to go in.

"You blocked me." Starts the Alpha.

"Yes." He replies, willing himself not to back down.

"Why?"

Isn't it obvious? "I didn't want to talk to you."

The Alpha growls. He can't smell any rut or pheromones out of control risking him going feral, at least.

"You quit."

"I did."

"And why the fuck did you do that?" Asks the Alpha with a thin and cold voice.

He raises his gaze. He can't keep on doing this.

"It wasn't good for me. I couldn't keep on doing it."

The Alpha hits the wall with the side of his fist, more frustration than wanting to cause harm. "You left the company. And me. All to work with fucking Sheng Shao You."

How dare he?

He calls love stupid, but wants him in his bed, to call him his.

"Is there anything else you needed, President Shen?"

The Alpha gapes at him. His eyes wild, the pheromones growing wilder. Losing control.

"Do you like him now?"

He wishes he could hit him sometimes. How can he show that jealousy, that possessiveness, and yet be so...

"And what if I did, President Shen? I don't work for you anymore. We are not– mates, not even real lovers for it to matter."

His voice breaks. Still, he keeps his head high.

The Alpha makes a deep growling sound, his eyes growing darker, and his pheromones lost in emotions. Too strong and uncontrolled to discern them.

He is pushed against his closed door between a blink and the next, not strong enough to harm him, hands enclosing him.

"Mine." Growls the Alpha. "You are mine, Gao Tu. My secretary, my friend, my Omega. Mine."

His voice is so deep, and he can vaguely feel himself beginning to slick at the pheromones being released all around him, his body wanting to submit to this Alpha claiming him.

"We are not mates." Says Gao Tu, one of his hands pressing to the Alpha's chest. He needs distance. 

The other hand in his pocket, looking for the scent neutralizer in spray. Gone, he didn't think to bring it.

"You are still mine, Bunny. Mine."

The Alpha leans in, diving into his space. His eyes lost in feralness now. If this continues he will go into Rut and there will be nothing that any of them can do to stop it.

He finds only a patch on his pocket. One of the couple he took earlier.

Just as a hand circles his waist and the lips are about to touch his, Gao Tu manages to remove the back film of the scent patch, and with a surprisingly fast movement, he covers the Alpha's mouth with the plastic rectangle.

He takes a step back and finds the doorknob.

The Alpha freezes, his mouth shut closed thanks to the scent patch. His eyes lose that haze over them as he processes what just happened.

"I am not yours, Shen Wen Lang. I'm sorry I cannot keep things simple and occasional, but I will not continue to do this."

The Alpha pulls on the skin tone piece of plastic, ripping it away. He makes a face.Those scent patches do have a strong adhesive. He forces himself to not offer help.

"Please leave."

"Please, Tu."

"No."

He turns and rushes into his apartment, closing the door behind himself and locking it.  He leans into it and slides down the floor. Away from Alpha’s eyes and holding it closer.

He did it. He said no to Shen Wen Lang.

Why does it hurt?

A thump is heard against the door. Soft, not hitting or knocking on it.

"Please, Tu. Let's talk. I miss you."

He hugs himself and leans on the door. He can't open it while he has his back against it.

"I'm so sorry I lost control. I was jealous, okay?"

"Please come back."

Gao Tu shakes his head, telling himself and the Alpha no with his silence, even when his instincts scream at him to open the door.

The voice is faint, speaking through the door, the Alpha probably knows he is still there.

"I fucked up, okay? Let's talk."

"I'll do anything."

He hugs himself closer.

"Anything"

"I am stupid, but Im trying, please– just listen"

He is so weak. Please stop trying Shen Wen Lang.

"Please, Gao Tu."

He looks at the hour in the microwave; more than an hour has passed with him on the floor. The Alpha is still trying, his comments fainter and more time apart from each comment, but still there.

"Just listen to me, please. I'll behave. I promise." His voice grows fainter. "Please, Tu. I can't lose you. I need you."

His heart beats so fast that he feels it will stop working.

He has always had a weak spot for the Alpha. Hasn't he?

Goodbye to him saying no.

He gets up and opens the door before he can change his mind.

The Alpha reacts just in time to stop his fall with his arm from the door being opened. Looking at him from the floor. 

"Tu!"

"Will this really be an adult conversation?"

The Alpha nods, his eyes eager and red but no trace of tears.

Gao Tu nods, grabbing his phone and keys in hand. The Alpha follows him closely as he starts descending the stairs. He is not sure where they are going, but he cannot do this in his home.

"It's late for a walk, Tu." Says the Alpha in an attempt to sound soft.

"Did you bring your car?"

"Yes? Do you want a night drive? There is a park in a nice area close to here."

He nods, unwilling to say anything until they reach that place.

The Alpha seems to get it, as his eyes turn decided and his posture stiffens. Just now, he realizes Wen Lang is wearing pajamas, and he is in his as well.

It doesn't matter; they need to talk.

He dares not to think about what the Alpha will say and how this will end.

They reach the park within ten minutes, and they both leave the car in silence. There is a nice bridge over an artificial pond. Soft warm lighting and fireflies over the water. At any other point, his heart would be painfully thrilled at such a romantic place. Not that it would mean anything.

They walk there. His eyes focused on the moon reflected on the water.

The Alpha clears his throat.

He tenses.

The voice is thankfully soft, not reproachful yet.

"Will you really work for Sheng Shaoyou?"

"I am not sure yet."

The Alpha nods, his tone more confident now that Gao Tu has started replying. Open to talk, to listen to him. At least a little.

The water I'm the pond is so dark. Almost black.

He wonders how deep it is.

"I didn't want you to quit, Gao Tu."

"I didn't want to either, but I couldn't stay. It wouldn't be– fair to any of us."

"What did I do?" Asks the Alpha.

Gao Tu shakes his head.

"Does it matter? Why are you here? You don't have any feelings for me, so why won't you let me quit?"

"What if I do?"

"What?" He asks his voice rough with doubt. Wen Lang is looking at him, those eyes painfully honest.

But it can't be

It's what he always wanted

Too sudden, too convincing.

"You said you didn't know what you felt. Or if you could ever feel anything for me." He repeats the words branded on his mind. Wen Lang said that just three days before.

The Alpha shakes his head, and goes to hold both of his hands within his, while releasing soothing pheromones.

"I didn't know if I could feel that– anything for anyone. But If I can it would be for you. "

His heart skips a beat.

But it can't be.

"I– fuck. I was going crazy these last three days without you. I didn't know if I would ever see you or touch you again. And not just your body, you your scent, those damn glasses and your company while working. Please come back."

"I'm not sure." He admits after a minute. "I– I like you, but you don't. Not really. I'm an omega."

"I don't care! Man, woman, alpha beta or omega or anything else I like you.  But I do, I swear I do."

The Alpha's hold on his hands grows stronger.

"I don't know how to feel, what I want or what I feel, Tu, but– "

He must make a face as the Alpha makes a strangled noise. Holding him closer, his eyes desperate. Pheromones vibrating so strongly he could almost see them if he squinted.

The Alpha holds him closer, and he pushes him away slightly. Wen Lang makes a scared noise at being sent away. He finds himself being held tightly by his waist and the Alpha on his knees.

On his knees for him.

No pride

"I want you, Tu. Not just your body or scent. You. Please don't leave me. I don't know shit but I know I want you."

"Wen Lang–"

"I'm trying. I do, I am. I will do anything, whatever you want, I'll make it good for you. I need you, you are– fuck! You are everything. I felt like I was dying without you these days and when I thought something had happened in that earthquake. I can't–"

"Wen Lang!" He interrupts. "Please breathe."

They breathe together. 

The Alpha nods against his stomach. Slow and deep breaths.

Almost back to normal.

Almost.

He pulls on the arms around him, and the Alpha makes a strangled noise. Pheromones going scared again.

"Get up, Wen Lang. The floor is cold."

The Alpha nods, his eyes red and filled with tears that refuse to fall.

"Do you–do you really mean it, Wen Lang?" He asks. 

"Yes. Those are feelings, right?"

"Yes. They are."

Gao Tu sighs and holds him close, his arms around the Alpha. He is not certain about what he is feeling; he has a dull headache, and his heart doesn't know how to react. 

But he wants this. He has wanted this for so long.

"Okay."

"Okay?"

"Yes, I will stay."

The Alpha hugs him closer. His pheromones enveloping them.

It's almost sweet.

"I will not leave, Wen Lang."

He loves him, and Wen Lang has feelings for him as well. There's no name for it, but there is something. Something.

Something that Wen Lang feels for him.

He feels warm, and so unsure at the same time. So tired after all of these emotions. This last week.

"Can we go home?" Asks the Omega.

Wen Lang nods against his hair. "Of course, bunny. Are you cold?"

He shakes his head and hugs him closer. They don't let go for a long time. 

The Alpha drives him home and walks him to his door. Gao Tu opens it and looks at Wen Lang. The Alpha holds his hand and scents it, leaving a kiss on it.

"Goodnight, bunny. "

He gulps. "Goodnight, A-Lang."

The Alpha reluctantly lets go of his hand, but Gao Tu grabs it. 

"Will you stay the night?"

"Yes."

Gao Tu walks him inside his home. Their clothes are not that clean, but they don't care.  After a brief moment, he removes the scent patch, almost new. Wen Lang has the good idea not to make a comment on it. He grabs a pill for his headache, and the Alpha brings him water.

They lay down together, their hands held together over the sheets, and Wen Lang's nose scenting his neck and face while trying to access his scent. 

"I missed the sage so much." Confesses the Alpha. 

Gao Tu pulls him away, his hand firm, and Tha Alpha releases an anxious puff of air. His eyes worried. 

It's too much, overwhelming. They're together? It doesn't matter right now. They'll talk about it tomorrow. It's a good kind of overwhelmed, but still too many emotions inside of him, too confused. He wants to do something.

Anything

Is this real?

Gao Tu brings the Alpha to his lips, and Wen Lang kisses back eagerly. It's soft and intense. A hand sneaks around his waist. He lets him.

Yes, this is real.

"My Tutu." Mumbles Wen Lang between kisses. Holding him closer with each kiss.

They fall asleep with their hands still intertwined between slow kisses until their hearts beat in unison.

Chapter Text

The sleep-rough voice of the Alpha growling on the phone at a low volume wakes him up from a surprisingly good sleep. Not a miraculous rest, but he feels not exhausted for once. He hadn't felt like that in a while.

"I don't care. Gao Tu is sleeping after a long night, you lunatic! He deserves and needs the rest. He can come and talk to you tomorrow, you obsessed freak." There is a mocking voice at the other end of the line, most likely Hua Yong. Who else could it be?
Does Shen Wen Lang have any other friends? Does he even have any friends?

"You don't need to know what we did or didn't do last night." Hisses the Alpha as he messes his hair in a nervous gesture. "Yes! I know you paid him for his help, damn it, Hua Yong." He spits. "I'll pay it back if you need it that badly."

Gao Tu blinks his eyes open, spotting the Alpha sitting on the side of the bed with his shoulders tense while whisper-shouting to his own phone. Hua Yong must have called him when he missed their appointment.
Since when does Shen Wen Lang know his passcode for his phone?

"You can see him tomorrow! You will be released in two days." Silence and then a reply. "You can wait, yes, both of us will help you, just leave my– my... Gao Tu alone."

He can hear mocking laughs on the call, and he sits up on the bed, touching Wen Lang's shoulder to ask for his phone. The Alpha hands it to him with a scowl on his handsome face. He doesn't look surprised at seeing him awake now. 

Gao Tu smiles timidly at him, and the Alpha replies back with a small smile as well. A new, but welcome change. Those smiles used to be so rare, and now all he has to do is look at the Alpha. Is this truly happening?

"Secretary Hua?" He asks.

The laughter dies down into a soft and somehow smug hum. "Morning, Secretary Gao. Please call me by my name instead. I take you and your clueless Alpha haven't had the what are we conversation yet, am I correct?"

"I'm sorry I slept in," He says, ignoring the intrusive question. "I can make it there for lunch today."

He can see and hear the Alpha scoff from afar.

The enigma sighs dramatically. "That will do, but you do have to give me details on what our dear Wen Lang did to have you forgive him. I need the intel."

"Goodbye, Hua Yong."

The Alpha frowns at the phone still in his hand as if it were Hua Yong himself. It was just a call. Is he truly that– possessive? Or is it alpha protection driven by instinct now that they are– what?
Occasional lovers?

No. It was more than that. There are feelings involved. From both of them.

Is not just sex.

Heavens. Is not just sex.

"Do you want breakfast?" Asks Gao Tu after he leaves the bed and starts charging his phone by the bed. "I have some eggs and ramen."

The Alpha nods, his steady gaze following him out of their little bubble and into the kitchen.

As he cooks the noodles, Wen Lang walks behind him and embraces him in a warm hug around his middle, leaving a kiss on his cheek and soft content pheromones around them.

"Is this alright?"

Gao Tu nods. He feels put on the spot with all of this attention on him. Is nice having Wen Lang so close and asking for contact, but it has never been like this with anyone before. He has never been with anyone or wanted anyone before. He is not sure where they stand, or even where he stands. 

As much as he hates to admit it. The enigma was right, they need to talk. Even if the idea of asking makes him want to throw up and want to run away. Heavens, they are adults, not freshly presented school pups asking to be boyfriends. 

"Wen Lang?"

The Alpha nods in acknowledgment while scenting every inch of skin he has access to over his thin pajama shirt. He has to swallow a sob at the tenderness and desperation coming from the Alpha to scent mark him. To claim him.

" I don't think I could be just something occasional. Not with you." His voice sounds steady, and that is a fantastic start. The Alpha tenses.  "Do we– are we together?" 

He doesn't want to be something occasional. Something hidden at all times.
He doesn't need rings or a mark. But he needs the certainty. To know that his feelings are not tolerated, but wanted, and hopefully reciprocated. 

The Alpha stops his ministrations.

"I would hope so, Gao Tu... Can I call you Mine? My Omega? It's just that boyfriends sounds a little strange." 

It sounds strange as well for Shen Wen Lang to call an omega his. But he wants him.

He wants him.

"Boyfriends sounds too little, I need you to be mine." The Alpha bites him slightly on the side of his neck. Gao Tu gasps, his heart skipping a beat, and a silent moan coming from his dry lips.

"Yes." He replies without meaning to.

The Alpha spins him on his arms, meeting him with his lips. Swallowing the surprised sound, he lets out, tender and yet desperate kisses given upon him. Gao Tu can only kiss back, feeling himself lightheaded. He is not sure he will ever get used to these kisses, to his heart rushing and losing control.

Shen Wen Lang is his alpha.

Shen Wen Lang is his.

He is Wen Lang's.

He could almost faint. He is about to faint. Wen Lang is kissing him so intensely and deeply that he can barely breathe. Is oxygen truly that necessary? He gasps and pushes the alpha away as he breathes desperately. Even with the distance and pushing him away, he is still holding to the silk shirt of Wen Lang. Unwilling to let him go.

Wen Lang is not deterred by the distance and the kiss having ended. He immediately goes to feast on his scent, licking and kissing his neck and scent gland.

Fuck

Wen Lang will make him slick soon if he continues those touches.

"Mine." He growls. "My Omega."

"Yours," whimpers Gao Tu as a hot hand sneaks underneath his shirt and holds onto his waist while the other grabs his ass, pulling him closer into that warmth.
He feels so empty. But they just started this. Shouldn't they wait?

No.

He can feel the hard member pressed to his leg already, aroused pheromones coming from both of them clouding their judgments as the Alpha kisses and bites, and he can only moan and try to bring him closer. He finds support on the counter behind him, and suddenly, bright pain touches his hand.

Fuck. They're in the kitchen. He just burnt himself.

He hisses at the pain, and the Alpha immediately lets go as the pheromones turn worried and looks at his hand with concern and still glazed and blown eyes.

"Bunny?"

"It's just a small burn. " He explains while walking away, his hand cradled close to his chest. The Alpha follows him, too, similar to a worried puppy.

It's almost sweet

He places his hand underneath the cold water. The Alpha immediately provides soothing pheromones as he waits next to him. That look focused on him as he checks the burn.

"Do you need anything, Tu?"

"I'm fine," he says, his face hot. Were they truly going to do it now? Heavens, he wanted it. He still wants it.

The Alpha hugs him and scents him again while the water soothes the hurt skin. It's so different from before. That time, he had visited and spotted the bite. So different. It's nice.

It's overwhelming but nice.

The touches are familiar and yet something completely new.

They were about to do it earlier, Wen Lang seems to have no fill when it's about that. Was it really his first time at X hotel? Did they really have their first time together?

"I don't know what's gotten into me," Mumbles the Alpha against his neck. "I can't stay away from you."

Gao Tu feels his cheeks go a deeper shade or red. He hides his face from the kisses and walks away to dry his hand and put cream on it.

It's so new and so nice.

It's too confusing.

He had wanted this for so long, and now that he has it. Is it real? Will it last? It's almost scary. 

"I'm sorry." Says the Alpha

"About what?" Asks Gao Tu, confused while putting the ointment away. "Can you turn off the stove, please?"

The Alpha nods and immediately turns it off. Gao Tu takes two mismatched bowls for them, careful not to touch the damaged skin.

"It's my fault you got burnt."

"It's not. I put it on the stove just next to the fire. I forgot, I just got distracted."

The Alpha takes the bowls from his hands and goes to serve the food instead. Even if they are a short distance away, it feels like hovering. He can almost smell the guilt, but is not his fault. It was just an accident.

"You forgot because of me. Sit, I can manage on my own."

"You are a guest."

Wen Lang frowns at him. "And you are my Omega, and you are hurt. Please, Tutu."

He allows the Alpha to take care of him for that brief moment. It's just ramen.
But it feels like more.

His omega.

Wen Lang is his Alpha

They are together

It still doesn't feel real. Is this a good thing? Perhaps he should have thought more about it. What if it's too fast? If it didn't work, they would still be boss and employee. And his sister needs him.

The Alpha drags him away from his thoughts with a small sniff from his hair as he places the bowls down. He spills a little, and Gao Tu rushes to clean it. Helping Wen Lang always helped him to stay centered and focused, to remember what is important. They start eating in silence. 

Should he ask?

His ramen is still a little too hot. He could ask while it cools down. They are together; he should be able to ask those questions, right? 

"Wen Lang? Can I ask you a question, Alpha?" He adds to soften it. "It's a little personal."

"Of course, bunny."

He looks at his still-too-hot noodles as he feels his ears warm up the tiniest bit. "Hua yong said that I took– I mean that I was your first time. Is that true?"

To be fair, Wen Lang never seemed that interested in relationships or sex, omegas or even betas. But now he is so different and still so himself, so he wonders. They are almost thirty after all, it is not common for people to stay celibate like he has. He is not jealous, not really. Just– he wants to know. It's not like Wen Lang wanted it at that time.

He still feels guilty for how it happened. He is not sure he will ever be.

The Alpha chews his ramen and soft egg slowly with a small frown on his forehead.
Too personal?

"First. You didn't take anything, if you consider that taking, then I forced you– "

"You didn't force me. I wanted to leave because I thought you would hate me." 

The Alpha frown deepens and takes a big gulp of his tea. "Exactly, you didn't take anything. But I should have been nicer– the things I said to you. You didn't deserve it. I'm sorry for all of it." 

"Thank you." He replies as he doesn't know what else to say.

"You deserve kindness, Tu. And– yes, that was my first time with anyone. I had not been interested in any of that before you." He drinks a little more tea. "I hope that is not a comment on my technique."

He is shaking his head before the Alpha can add that it's a joke.

"No, no. It was good. You were good, Wen Lang." The Alpha smiles proudly at being told that he pleased the omega under his care. "It's a little bit fuzzy as I was in heat, but I did like it."

"Good."

Gao Tu nods, now his cheeks fully warm and probably flushed. Wen Lang is smiling discreetly at his food, his cheeks the most subtle shade of pink as well.

He made Shen Wen Lang blush.

He doesn't want to admit that he likes to know that he did that.

"Me too." He confesses.

The Alpha hums in question.

"It was my first time as well."

The Alpha half chokes at the aborted attempt of eating his noodles. Gao Tu hands him more tea.

"I– well, I was hiding my designation all this time, and too busy to look for anyone who wouldn't–"

He stops. He made it awkward. He closes his mouth and continues eating. He looks at Wen Lang for brief moments, but it is a new kind of overwhelming as that now familiar gaze is fully focused on him. The Alpha doesn't blink. He just stares at him unblinking while eating. His eyes darkening with every second that passes, and his scent thickening.

Prey

He is being hunted again.

"You are staring." He says, trying to diffuse the situation.

"Mine." Says the Alpha with a discreet and predatory grin.

A part of him longs to be full, to be close.

"I– " he doesn't know what to say. Is not like they haven't done it before. Multiple times. Still, he stutters slightly, "It's late. You should be working already, President Shen... work talk, you are my boss when we talk about it. We should get ready."

He adds as soon as the Alpha makes a face at his title. He doesn't look convinced, but the Alpha lets it go, even with his pupils still blown, but at least the eyes aren't glazed by instinct like they were earlier. 

"It'll be fine. There wasn't anything important today, I think."

Gao Tu frowns at it. He is not sure either. What is it today? Tuesday? 

Does he still have a job? Does he want to return? He is not certain if it would be a good idea. But working with Sheng Shao You doesn't sound that good either. 

"Will you return to HS group?" Asks the Alpha while looking at his noodles. His predatory aura mostly gone now that they are talking about him staying. 

He had been on his knees.

He had begged for him to stay just last night.

"I told HR you would be gone for a while when they asked. I never processed your resignation letter."

"You didn't?"

He shakes his head. "I didn't want you to go. Stay, Tu."

"I think I could go back."

The Alpha's eyes darken, and his posture immediately changes to something sharp. Suddenly, he is being pulled closer across the table and being kissed like the Alpha's life depended on it. Back to prey.

He doesn't find it in him to complain.

He allows it and kisses back for a whole minute, then pushes the alpha away with a gentle push. They need to finish eating. If he allows this, he will probably be knotted twice by the time he should be at the hospital. He shivers at the thought.

They need ground rules.

"We can't do this at the office." He says, and the Alpha freezes mid-bite on his meal, his eyes focused on him.

"I don't want anyone to believe you have given me special treatment over me for what– we are. Wen Lang, we can't do this there. Also, it's still too new. We have to keep it professional."

The Alpha frowns, and a slightly dry, and annoyingly sweet Iris scent reaches his nostrils.
Is that a scent tantrum?

"Fine. But what about after hours and with closed doors?"

"Maybe." He will think about it. But it doesn't sound like a good idea. "And no scenting before going to the office."

The Alpha growls and drops his chopsticks. Yes. It's definitely a tantrum. 

"Bunny!"

"I don't want anyone to believe something that is not true." He admits. He also doesn't want to be outed as an omega.

"I don't care what they think about me."

"I do, Wen Lang. I don't want them to know, at least not yet. It's too new, too– ours. I don't want to share it, to be a spectacle."

He shakes his head, suddenly scared.

"If your employees found out, how long would it take for the press to start talking about it. For them to discover what I am." He adds, and his voice is too small.

Almost defenseless. 

"Fine." The Alpha sighs in defeat. "I will protect you from them.But I will take you to dinner tonight. Somewhere nice and private."

He is touched. 

Will he really do that?

"Okay."

The Alpha smiles at him, one of those honest but small smiles.

"I have to go with Hua Yong today. Is it fine if I go to HS group after lunch? Or should I go back until tomorrow?"

"Today." The Alpha growls. "I'll take you to the hospital myself after we're done here. I'll send a car for you as well."

"You don't have to." He says, already knowing the Alpha will insist. 

"I want to. If I weren't busy, I would pick you up personally."

The Alpha shakes his head, eating the last of his Ramen. He looks at the egg on his bowl, after a slow blink he pushes it to the omegas bowl.

"I'm not that hungry. Eat." He looks into his eye, determined and sharp as ever. "You are too thin, Tu. Eat it."

He allows himself to be taken care of just for that moment. Just for today.

Maybe there is a point to it. He has been feeling a little more tired than usual lately, no matter how much he sleeps, his body seems to want to lie down longer, and his stomach– his stomach feels heavier for some reason. He should go to the doctor. He missed his last appointment.

He will make a new one for next week. Well, he will probably be really busy for the days that he didn't work. He will probably have to wait. He is almost sure Wen Lang will insist he takes the afternoon off to go to the appointment. But it can wait. He feels almost fine. Just tired.

The Alpha stares at him in that unblinking way of him. Something different in his eyes for a moment there.

"Wen Lang?"

The Alpha places both hands on the table, his shoulders suddenly tense after the easy, well, almost easy conversations. 

He has seen it before. He would recognize that look in the alpha anywhere. He is ready for battle. "Speaking about Hua Yong– there is something I need to confess."

He can't help but feel a hint of jealousy. That easy conversation, not worrying about showing the ugly parts. That undeniable familiarity.
He said that they weren't anything, right?

Did he lie? No, he wouldn't.

Wen Lang clears his throat and looks at his empty cup as if it offered the answers he was looking for. Lately, he has been so much better at communicating, but he is only human. 

He stands after a devastatingly long moment of silence. "The internet said there should not be secrets about things like this, and I want to do it right– with you, I mean."

What?

He wants to shake the Alpha and force him to say it now. Why is he not being direct? He is always brief and so direct. So controlled. And he can't help but notice that the Alpha is not looking at him now, and is walking around the room. Almost in circles.

Should he say something?

Should he be worried? Well, more worried?

"I'm thirsty. Can I drink this?" Wen Lang asks while taking his treasured juice bottle from the bookshelf.

Gao Tu bolts from his chair and takes the bottle from the Alpha's hands. He can't do this now. Technically, the Alpha already knows, but he is about to throw up from anxiety, and he can't deal with another sort of confession now. At least Wen Lang doesn't remember it. Like, who would remember it?

"No! It's- old." He whizzes. And is technically not a lie.

The Alpha looks at him. "It's fine. Juices like this can last years. They have weird additives."

He gently takes it back from his hands, grasped tightly around the juice, Gao Tu not looking at him but at the yellow bottle.

"Let me check the shelf date if you worry about it. It's from... Tu, this went bad eight years ago. Why do you have it?"

Gao Tu tenses and places it back on his bookshelf, ignoring the surprised look from the alpha at the sudden movement to take it away from him. Again.

What was he going to say? Why are they talking about juice now? Why are you doing this, Wen Lang? He spent a decade blind. Why is he seeing it now?

He is seeing me now. He thinks.

Fuck this.

"It was a gift, okay?"

"It's a shitty gift." The Alpha mumbles, his eyes focused on the unopened drink. Not happy. "It's not even that good. I used to drink it a lot around the time we met."

"I know," He says, his tone comes out frustrated against his will. Slightly offended on younger Wen Lang's behalf. How can he be this annoyed at both versions of the Alpha now? He is so sweetly and annoyingly dumb, but now he is just annoyed at his Alpha. He had just said he didn't want to talk about it, but he needs this conversation going if he wants to learn what is happening with Hua Yong. 

"It's yours, Wen Lang."

The Alpha stops glaring at the bottle and looks at him with new eyes. Wide and almost young again. Before he had grown so sharp after he became CEO.

"I gave it to you? Wait– Tu, for how long have you liked me?"

Why is he using his brain now?

He tenses, might as well say it now, right? But also– Hua Yong.

"Since we met."

That hunting gaze and posture again returns. 

No. Not right now.

"You are telling me we could have had this for years? That I could have touched you and kissed you since high school, and I didn't know?"

Gao Tu shakes his head. He is already frustrated; he needs to know what the Alpha was going to say before, and now they are talking about juice and his decade-long crush.

"You hated omegas, Wen Lang. I wasn't going to tell you."

He is against the wall of his apartment, pressed against the strong body of his Alpha. That heated gaze focused on him, and then, insisting lips against his, and warm hands tugging at his clothes with sudden, and yet not unexpected desperation. The alpha is growling against his lips, seeking entrance with his tongue, and pheromones slowly reaching him as they are released.

No. Not now.

He needs to know.

He wants to know

Before it's too late and he gets lost in this.

Gao Tu bites down hard on the lower lip of his Alpha and pushes him away with a strong shove. It doesn't send him far, but it puts some necessary space between them.

"Stop! What were you going to say, Wen Lang? About you and– Hua Yong?"

The Alpha breathes heavily, his glazed eyes and aroused pheromones slowly dissipating. They're so strong, he may go into heat if he is not careful, and that is the last thing he wants at this very moment. 

Gao Tu takes his daily suppressor while the Alpha calms down and sprays the room with his scent neutralizer. He puts away the bowls and cups as Wen Lang takes a pill as well. When did he get light doze suppressants? Is it for him.
He will ask later.

The Alpha sits down on his small table, and he does as well.

"Well?"

"Gao Tu, shit. I'm sorry." His heart stops beating. "I wasn't the one who paid for your sister's surgery."

What? Then who was it? 

But– he cares. He did it because he cares. But he didn't.

He never did.

He was so naive.

"Hua Yong took inspiration from you to create an Omega that Shao You would want. He pretended to have a sister, bed 291. Shao You paid for it. Not me."

President Sheng's comment now makes sense.

What was it? Why did he lie? To keep Hua Yong's plan, of course.

What else is a lie?

It feels violating. His life, his pain. His struggles all turnt into a tactic to ensnare an Alpha.

He whizzes. "And you say Omegas are the ones that wish to trap and manipulate."

"I was wrong, Gao Tu. I'm sorry. You are right, what he did, what I helped him to do, and we used your life for it."

"Why are you telling me this? You lied to me! About my sister, Wen Lang!" He cries out. "I thought you cared! that you had wanted to help me because you cared, because you saw me!"

"I care, Tu, I see you know. I'm sorry." 

He shakes his head and swallows a sob. He will not cry.

"I paid back Sheng Shao You this morning. Principal and interest. I called the hospital and gave them my credit card. Whatever your sister needs or wants, she will have it. Even room service."

How dare he?! All of this after lying. Every time he felt pain for those words, those actions he reminded himself that Shen Wen Lang cared. That he had saved his sister.

"You have no right!"

"I know! But I'm sorry, I know how much you cared when you thought I had helped. I wish I had. That I had thought about it before, that I had asked. But I didn't, and I'm trying to fix it! Please let me stay."

He wants to scream, to push Wen Lang away. He wants to throw up. He wants to hit him.
He won't. 

"You let me pay you money."

The Alpha just averts his eyes a little while frowning. His Iris scent slightly ruffled, and still controlled enough to be mostly neutral. At the very least, he is not trying to drug Gao Tu with his pheromones to have him calm down.

"I kept all of it. You can give it to your sister for when she is out of the hospital and back to school."

He shakes his head, his stomach is churning, and he wants to vomit from anger. He can't do this right now. He is not even certain about what he should be angry now. His life, his sister. The lies.
Is he allowed to be angry about this?

He doesn't care at this very moment. He lied, yes, but he had to, but this.

"I'm gonna shower." He says, and leaves Wen Lang alone in his house.

This time, he does close the door, not wanting the Alpha to try anything.  

Even talk.

He doesn't want to talk.

He wants to scream. 

Half an hour.

They have been together for half an hour and they already had their first fight. A big one.

He sighs against the cold tile and showers. Cleaning away the scent of his Alpha.

His Alpha.

They took his life and turned it into a story to cause pity. It feels like betrayal, but Wen Lang does look regretful. But his Alpha did that to him. He would never do that to anyone.

Even to help a friend. 

He is not certain he can forgive this. Does he need to?

Wen Lang paid President Sheng back and kept the money for his sister. He is trying.

Damn it, he can't truly stay mad at his Alpha.

His Alpha.

Damn it. He is so pathetic. He is so angry. 

He doesn't want to be angry. That is the last thing he wanted for the day. He wanted normalcy and to be next to Wen Lang.

He still wants that.

He wants to cry. So many emotions for one day. The worst part is that the day has just started. He thought Shen Wen Lang cared. Does he care? He has to–
He is not sure what is true anymore.

He turns off the shower and dries himself mechanically. He realizes with almost no surprise he forgot his clothes outside. He shakes his head and leaves the small and damp room on silent steps. Wearing only a towel.

As he makes his way out, he spots the Alpha doing the dishes for him. He clearly doesn't have experience with it, but he is trying, fully focused on it while clutching his phone between his neck and head instead of speaker.

"I don't care, Hua Yong! I shouldn't have listened, yes my fucking bad. I should have used my brain on what it meant, yes. But it was your idea, and you're going to apologize to Gao Tu today."

Gao Tu stares at him from the door. His heart aches.

How could he do that? Is he truly sorry?

Does he understand why he is so upset?

"Yes, I'll even pay back your fucking money, yes. Have you thought that your Mr. Sheng will appreciate your honesty and support from the Omega you stole his life from? The one he wants to hire and respects. Wait– is the pheromone disorder from him as well. Damn it, you fucking lunatic! You should have told me."

Gao Tu shakes his head, slightly and strangely touched. He dries his hair while the Alpha places his phone down with barely contained anger. He is surprised it doesn't break.

"You owe Hua Yong money?" Asks the Omega.

Wen Lang turns surprised while drying his hands with the towel.

"I didn't hear you. Yes– he gave me the money for HS group, he will not let me forget it."

"Is he really the owner of X holdings?"

"Yes."

Gao Tu hums. Still upset. Anger and energy buzzing underneath his skin. He needs to do something, he wants to scream. He wants to rub himself all over his Alpha.

His Alpha.

"I'm not sure I can forgive this." He says, and it's true.

"It's fine. Just– don't leave."

"I won't."

The Alpha seems to be so focused on this that he has not noticed his state of near nudity yet.

The Alpha walks closer. "I'm sorry I did that. I should have known. I'll do anything."

"I know, Wen Lang."

He walks back to his bed, taking out his underwear and suit for the office.

That intense stare is back. He can feel it. He thinks he will bite if Wen Lang tries to touch him now. Omega instincts to fight instead of flight.

He needs to do something.

Something.

"What is it, President Shen?" He sighs as he rubs away with a towel the remaining moisture from his hair. His voice sounds on edge, ready to explode. "You're staring again."

"I– my marks are gone"

He can see from the corner of his eye how the Alpha aborts his attempt at touching the faded bites. Only one remains, mostly gone. He had been treating them, not wanting infection.
At least his Alpha is clever enough not to touch him. He could be feral right now if he is not careful. Would he be able to with all of the drugs that have entered his system in the last decade and a half?

"They're faded, except the last one." Adds the Alpha. He sounds almost– pathetic. He doesn't have it in himself to feel bad for the thought at that moment. 

"It's been a while." Confirms Gao Tu. 

Shen Wen Lang may not be the brightest man nor Alpha at identifying emotions or having functional and active communication (although he has been doing so much better lately) but now he is smart enough to not attempt anything knowing that he is upset. Not touch, not sex, intimacy. 

But he needs something.

He has never had a high sex drive; his heats are mostly about pain and restraint, but now– Now he has an alpha and he can admit that he loves the feeling of being full.

He turns back to see the Alpha standing next to his bed, a meter or less away. Uncertain.

Almost touching.

Almost.

He sighs inwardly and takes a step towards him.

He has never done this... and Shen Wen Lang is an S-class Alpha. A proud one that thrives on control and is above anyone else.

"Take off your shirt." He orders.

The Alpha blinks at him for a second. Confusion in his eyes, and suddenly, he is scrambling to follow the command.

His torso bare and his eyes eager. He will do anything at this moment.

"The pants too."

He obeys as well.

He obeys.

His core throbs at the mere thought of it. He feels himself begin to slick.

Gao Tu walks towards him, and with a steady han,d he pushes His Alpha to sit on the bed. The Alpha gazes up at him from his spot. His eyes darkening and his hands holding tightly to the bed, probably wanting to touch.

No touch.

Gao Tu sits in the lap of his Alpha, naked and pale legs around the strong ones under him. It's a little unstable. Wen Lang places his hands around his waist, more for support than anything else, but there is doubt in there. He gives the alpha a curt nod.

Just that. No more.

Even though Gao Tu is slightly shorter, in this position he is above the Alpha.

He kisses him.

Wen Lang kisses back eagerly, it's slow and passionate. He wraps his arms around the Alphas shoulders, seeking support, and the hands loosen around him, but still ready to catch him if necessary. 

Good

Soft Iris and yet eager pheromones reach his nose. His own sage there too at his evident arousal.

Is this too much? 

He is an omega after all; no matter how much he suppresses his instincts he is supposed to submit and there he is telling Shen Wen Lang what to do.

The Alpha licks his lips, hands pulling him closer while attempting to lick into his mouth between the kisses. To gain access. But he is not happy with Wen Lang right now. 

Not now.

He puts space between them, and in a daring, if not stupid, movement he grabs a handful of the hair from the back of Wen Lang's head. He pulls. Careful enough not to harm, but he pulls.

"No." He says and his Alpha nods. His eyes half glazed. He could almost say in awe. Fucking stop, Wen Lang. He has to stay angry at least trough this.

"Okay, bunny."

He returns and kisses back, his instincts going into overdrive at having an alpha, his Alpha submitting to him. 

Fuck

Wen Lang is going to make him go crazy.

The aroused pheromones from both of them start to fill the room. Flowing in the air and reacting to each other, intertwining. It's so good.
He whines at it, his own pheromones turning into luring, asking the Alpha to mate. He is so empty. They are both so hard against each other. Wen Lang feels so big in comparison to him. Almost double his size. Those S-class alphas.

"Bunny, mine." Mumbles the Alpha against his lips as he starts rubbing against him.

No, not right now. 

He is not ready to let go of that anger yet.

"Don't say anything." He says in an attempt at a growl, between kisses. 

He took away his life, his everything, and lied. He needs to take something as well. That voice will do for now.

The Alpha nods against his lips, allowing him to lead. He needs more. He pushes the towel and the underwear of his partner away, and they're finally both naked. His body is already slick enough, he is not ready yet, but he doesn't want the Alpha to touch him. He is fine with a little sting right now, it will remind him of why he needs this and why he cant allow Wen Lang to touch him.

He stops the kisses as he raises his body and holds the hard member between his hand, adjusting it to his entrance.
He whines. It's big, so big for him not being prepared, but he doesn't care. He starts lowering himself. He does it so slowly so as to not cause himself harm. He feels bigger than usual.

The Alpha groans in his ear, small kisses being left there and deep inhales and licks as he drinks on his scent.
A small nip on his neck stops him on his slow path into having Wen Lang all the way in.

When did he start kissing him?

"No biting"

"Bunny, please. I need to mark you. You're mine."

He frowns, the anger resurfacing again and taking him away from the pleasure he was sinking in.

"I'm angry at you, Wen Lang. Don't speak, and no biting."

The Alpha nods against his skin, soothing pheromones being released. Typical Alpha.
The look of a scolded puppy. Not good enough.

He tries to keep him relaxed and enjoying the pleasure with pheromones, but not submitting ones. The Alpha could use his strength or his biology to have him submit; he has done it before, but now he is letting him do what he wants.
All because Wen Lang made a mistake, a considerable one, but he is trying.

He continues his long track down as he lowers himself more and his core gets filled with every thick inch getting impaled into him. Yes, he needed this.
The Alpha is behaving so good, not moving his hips yet, leaving him to choose the pace even though he can see how hard the Alpha wants to start. 

A small and new part of him is enjoying this in ways that he had never imagined.

And then there he is, full at last.

The Alpha ruins it as he holds him closer and bites into his shoulder between kisses. No blood yet, not even a temporary mark, but still a mark.

"No biting." He hisses at the sensation. 

The Alpha frowns, but lets go of the skin between his teeth with a soft sound. Before he can react to what he is doing he has pushed the Alpha into the bed with all of his strenght. Wen Lang is fully lying down while he remains seated and full. He pushes the Alpha down when he turns to look at him with lost and hazy eyes from pleasure.

"Down, Wen Lang."

The Alpha nods, his pupils blown.

"Mine?"

He shakes his head as he starts to roll his hips.

"Quiet. Or I'll say no."

The Alpha closes his eyes and nods in a sob, allowing himself to be used as his omega wishes. It's more small rolls and light friction as he just enjoys feeling full. He clenches around it, delighted at the sensation in him. The Alpha groans under him.

It's good, but not enough after a couple of minutes. He finds himself lowering his hands on Wen Langs chest, using him as leverage so he can start raising his hips and fucking himself in earnest, allowing his emotions to flow out of his body with the pleasure. The hands around his hips tighten and start helping him with the rhythm he chooses, just helping. Not guiding.

Gao Tu lets him.

The Alpha moans under him, his pheromones growing more intense with each movement.

He is lucky that having stopped with most of the suppressors and inhibitors his body doesn't go into heat automatically every time he smells awen Lang's pheromones. Not like it used to, if they weren't having sex now, he would probably be going into heat. He is probably a little heat-crazed right now.

Is this the first time he and Wen Lang had done it without them being controlled by instincts?

His senses aren't heightened anymore, but it still is so good.

Heavens, how he enjoys this connection, having Wen Lang inside of him. He loves him, how can he not when the Alpha is letting himself be used as a toy?

"Yours, Wen Lang" He confesses as he bounces on that cock inside of him time and time again. He keeps a deep and fast pace, loving the friction inside of him as it drags that spot and chasing every pleasurable movement.

The Alpha growls and his hands continue helping him, still letting him guide. Not moving or doing anything his omega has not approved yet. 

He is so good for him. 

Not every Alpha would do this.

Still, those sharp and thin alpha hips twitch from time to time, wanting to thrust, to do his part. He will not let him, no control for him right now.

He knows he will give in.

Not yet.

A part of Gao Tu wonders if Wen Lang will ever allow him to do this again. A harsher movement touches even deeper inside of him, and he mewls at the sensation; he follows it.
His movements grow ragged, and his arms grow weak and he falls to the chest of his alpha. The rhythm becomes frantic, bouncing as he feels himself grow close, but he is tired with his hips and thighs doing all of the work.

It burns from this position. He doesn't want to stop.

"Help me, A-Lang. "

And the Alpha nods, the hands holding him up as his hips start finally fucking into him, meeting his movements with sharp thrusts.

Yes, he needed this.

Its so deep and intense, he had missed that aching sensation of having his Alpha inside of him.

His Alpha.

He comes with a deep whine hidden on his Alphas chest.

Wen Lang keeps fucking into him for a couple more thrusts and finally as his knot forms he pushes it into him as he comes. Filling him further.

Finally.

He regains his breathing while hidden on the warm and sweaty chest under him, the hands of his Alpha around him. He is being held, but is not as confident as always, but still wanting contact. He could tell him not to touch him as the knot goes down, but even if it sounds pathetic, he wants the contact. 

They're both pathetic. 

He may be getting fond of the idea.

"I have not forgiven you yet" He says.

"I know, bunny. " The Alpha leaves a kiss on his hair. "I can wait"

He nods against the skin. 

Was it too much? The Alpha seemed to enjoy him taking the reins, but he is not sure. Should they talk about it?

"So, have you truly wanted me for ten years, bunny?" Asks the Alpha. His voice is a mix between fondness and wanting.

He uses his trembling hand and puts it against that mouth.

"Don't make me put another patch in your mouth."

The Alpha kisses his hand, covering his lips. But doesn't say anything else.

Eventually his hand falls from that sharp mouth, it's silent, but is nice.

"Let's go to France now, or would you prefer Italy? I've never taken you there. You would like it."

"What are you talking about, Wen Lang?" He shakes his head in confusion.

The Alpha hugs him closer, stealing a sniff of sage from his hair.

"I fucked up, Tu. I've done and said stupid shit to you the last ten years. I want to fix it, do something nice for you. Let's run away for the weekend."

It's not even the weekend yet.

He shakes his head against the warm skin and dares to leave a kiss on the chest. "I don't want big gestures Wen Lang, or for you to change who you are. Let's just go back to work today. If I get angry about this again, I'll let you know."

"Okay. But I'm still taking you for dinner tonight."

"Okay"

They stay silent for a little while, the knot going down as normal. It slides out of him and he suddenly feels so empty again. He still doesn't understand why it took hours on that night. 

He is so clingy. Is his Alpha clingy?

Wen Lang places those strong hands around his hips again.

"Bunny. Can I try something to show you how much I'm sorry?"

He squints his eyes at the Alpha to find those eyes on him. Full attention. 

"What?"

"Let me show you." The Alpha says, and suddenly he is being pushed forward, and suddenly Wen Lang is fully under him. His face is under him and he has been sat over that sharp mouth.

Before he can react, the Alpha has his arms secured around him and exploring his entrance with long licks all around his hole, cleaning that mess from their activities earlier and the new slick he is creating.

A long whine is punched out of him at the sensations.

Fuck

He loves this.

That tongue is too much, his hips move on their own accord, and the Alpha hums into his legs, making him shiver. Wen Lang holds him securely to have him stay. He is not sure he could move away if he wanted to.
His tights tremble and he can only whimper and arch his back from the pleasure his alpha is offering as penitence.

He buys another fruit basket for the enigma. They have flower arrangements for every designation at the hospital, but not for Enigma. So, more fruits seem to be the way to go to show care. Well, that or a balloon. 

He makes sure to pick one with oranges in it.

Hopefully Hua Yong will appreciate the gesture and won't be too– himself. He still doesn't understand how his Alpha and the enigma are friends.

His Alpha.

The thought makes his blush, he still can't believe it, every time he remembers he feels himself grow warm and smile. He is still mad, yes. But he is so content with the idea. He can feel two things at the same time.

He shakes his head as he hurries towards the room. He is a couple minutes late (almost twenty minutes) as the Alpha finally let him go after his third orgasm, of licking between his legs. He can barely walk.

Heavens

Wen Lang is truly showing off his s-tier Alpha title and stamina with those touches. He shakes his head, this is not the time for it.

He feels so lucky and so spoiled. He has never felt like this. It's strange. Too new to decide how he feels about it.

He reaches the door to the hospital room of the enigma and knocks. Hua Yong immediately invites him in.
Wen Lang had wanted to keep him with him, not have him away with the enigma, but just because they are together now doesn't mean he has to be next to him at all times. It's too much, even though the idea makes him feel warm.

Almost.

"You are late, secretary Gao." Greets the enigma as he enters the room and places the fruit basket at the end of the bed.

"Apologies."

The enigma immediately reaches for an orange from the basket and sniffs it with a delighted smile.

"I miss my Mr. Sheng."

Gao Tu nods and sits next to the bed. The enigma turns to him with those empty predator eyes.

"I see you already forgave him for that muse issue. You reek of horny Iris and satisfied omega. At least your sage it's nice, unlike his."

He feels himself flush and immediately brings his arm to his nose, trying to smell himself.

"I used a scent neutralizer." He did. Almost a full pocket size can. They will need to buy more.

The Alpha had been upset to have his work and scent removed from them both.

"I can tell, but also I have superior senses, unless you shower at least twice with scent neutralizer I will still smell it." He puts his orange down next to him on the bed and pats it as if it were a pet. "Just as I can sense that little piece of love inside of you. "

"What?"

The enigma rolls his eyes and turns as he takes a satin makeup bag from somewhere on his nightstand. 

"Nothing. I meant that you love him so stupidly that you forgave him already."

"I haven't."

"Keep telling yourself that." The enigma raises a perfect eyebrow and smiles sarcastically as he starts his makeup routine. "I couldn't get it done earlier. I had a test." He explains.

"Why did you do it?" He dares to ask. "Use my life?"

The enigma drags his gaze away from the handheld mirror and back to him.

"You are a nice muse. An Omega that my Mr. Sheng would be eager to rescue, noble enough and not a martyr. You can take those ten thousand as the only apology you will get, that and the little push I gave Wen Lang to go to you and beg. Did he beg?"

He did beg.

"What do you mean?" He asks instead. 

The enigma sighs dramatically. His face pink and bright now with the expensive-looking cosmetics. He never used any, hiding his omega designation.

"Alpha's are so easy to manipulate, knights on shiny armors. Even your Shen Wen Lang. All I had to do was push his tiny buttons to make him a little jealous and trigger his protection instincts by being slightly mean to you and there you go. Your Alpha served on a silver platter. "

He shakes his head, swallowing the instict to say thank you.
It doesn't feel like a favor. 

He doesn't think Hua Yong is the best person to owe something to.

"Why did you do it, Hua Yong?"

"I was bored. And also, I can't have you close to my Alpha at this moment, while you were all heartbroken and needing rescue."

"I don't need rescue," He replies, crossing his arms. He wonders how Wen Lang and the enigma have not killed each other yet.

He has never needed help. Had always fought for the things he has and to offer everything to his sister.

The enigma looks at him with a bored face, all charm and delicacy gone.

"I know that. But like I said, Alphas are too predictable, and mine does have such a soft heart. I had to remove you from the equation."

He looks at his hands. He did tell the Alpha about his designation. He wouldn't be surprised if he had offered help at some point due to him being an Omega. Still, he feels strange from that cold view of things that the enigma has. At least he was removed from the chessboard gently and not hurt like he thinks the predator in front of him could do.

"Does that mean you don't want my help with getting President Sheng back?"

The enigma smiles again at the mention of the Alpha. He shakes his head as he applies lip gloss.

He follows the movement.

"I don't need it. But I would appreciate it, it would make us even, little omega. Come, sit on the bed."

He follows the command, unconvinced and tense. It feels safer to obey now rather than later.  Hua Yong takes a little heart-shaped sponge out of his bag and a concealer. Gao Tu raises his eyebrow and leans back when the enigma leans closer.

"What are you doing?"

"You have an obvious hickey about to start blooming on you. I'm just helping little Tututu."

Gao Tu nods and allows himself to be softly touched and manhandled by those cold hands. He feels too vulnerable showing his neck to this predator, even when covered in soft pink makeup and a floral scent.

"Done." Smiles Hua Yong and he shoves a small mirror into his hands. It's surprisingly good.

"Thank you. It never looks this good when I do it." He confesses.

"It's the sponge. You need to blend it properly. "He shrugs his elegant shoulders. He looks beautiful even in the hospital clothes. "Take it, I have too many, and I already used this one on you."

"I can't– "

The enigma ignores him and places it on his chest pocket.

"Now tell me what did our dear Shen Wen Lang do to have you forgive him so fast?" He says as he leans back in, this time with a brush and blush.

"What are you doing?"

"Doing your makeup, isn't it obvious? Omegas do those things often. Slumber parties and such. Now don't move."

He remains away but the enigma releases soothing pheromones. Manipulative. Controlling. How does he hide all of this when with Sheng shao You? He can't help but worry a little for the Alpha.

"You aren't an omega."

"Does it matter? Now tell me so I can get forgiven faster."

And he tells him.

Even if he doesn't care, even when Hua Yong is only using him he tells him. It's... nice to tell someone about his life and everything that happened, to have them listen even if they don't care about him.

In a way it's better as he knows he is not burdening them.

Hua Yong listens and files his comments about honesty and watching the Alpha try and be vulnerable, are too much to keep himself mad as he does the Omega's makeup. He had never felt so– pampered so in touch with what he was supposed to be like. 

He enters the HS group building with his head low, not wanting to attract attention to the soft and warm pink hues painted on his face. He isn't sure why on earth did he let the enigma convince him to do it. At least he already took his daily suppressor and is wearing his scent patch. He can pretend he– he doesn't have any lie to explain this. 

That feels irrelevant now. He saw his own face, how softer it looked with that makeup.
Too Omega. Too obvious.

What is Hua Yong planning? He has to be planning something, especially when he chuckled and made a comment about Shen Wen Lang owing him again.

Should he go and wash his face on the sink before reaching his floor? He is about to do so when he receives yet another text from Wen Lang. He had received aq couple while on HeCi.

Do not reply

Are you here yet?

Do not reply

Let me know when you are here. Come directly to my office

Should he go there? He feels weird with the makeup on his face even though it's just blush and lipstick. Did Hua Yong use eyeliner too? He is not sure, he doesn't know anything about makeup besides the concealer for the marks on his neck. He had even gotten the cheapest option, probably a shade off.

His sister had called him pretty and smiled at him. She had dragged some version of the truth out of him. He had admitted there was something between them now, that Wen Lang was trying. But she was clearly not happy about it and still trying to be supportive. And so protective, so worried when she shouldn't be. 

He hated how they saw only the worst of his Alpha.

His

Before he can change his mind he taps on the phone number and changes the name belonging to that phone number again.

Do not reply  has been updated to Alpha

User

Be there in five minutes

Should he have called him sir? Are they talking about work now? Well they are in the office... too confusing.
As he leaves the elevator and walks to the bathroom the secretary General spots him and all but begs for him to accompany him to deliver documents now. At least he doesn't seem to notice the makeup. Why did he allow Hua Yong to do this?

Do enigmas have some kind of compulsion pheromones?

As they walk towards the office, the secretary general does not not gossip. Apparently President Shen had been in the worst of moods the last four days. Was he really that affected by his resignation?
Apparently yes since the entire time they all had been hiding and walking on eggshells the last couple of days. Now he has announced free lunches every day for all of the secretaries. Balanced and mandatory to take a break.

Is it for him?

He leaves his suitcase on his desk and follows the secretary General to the office, who's nervously rambling about how this document had taken one more day than it should to be completed by the assigned financial team and how he feared for his life now.

He knocks and they make their way inside.

Wen Lang spots the secretary general first as he drags his eyes away from the screen; he can easily spot the moment the Alpha sees him. His heart beats faster, those eyes soften and at the same time shine.

He doesn't dare to put a name on those emotions reflected there.

They deliver the document and Gao Tu softens the blow of it being delivered late. Thankfully, the Alpha lets it go. He can vaguely feel that gaze on him for brief moments but the Alpha seems to be looking at him as normal when their eyes meet.

"You can go." The Alpha says when he is done checking the document and he asks for his tea. "None can make it properly, except you, Gao Tu."

They both nod. The secretary general leaves the room in record time. 

He kind of had hoped for something different when they saw each other with those texts. It's silly, but it makes sense considering they are at work, and the secretary is here. He is thankful for that.

Wen Lang is only respecting what he asked for.

They leave together and he can feel that familiar intense gaze in his back as he leaves the room. It's almost comforting.

The process of brewing the tea is the same as always. He does it just as he always does and is comforting as well.

Familiar

So much has changed, good changes he hopes, but still too many new things. He appreciates the routine. 

Shit, he forgot to remove the makeup. 

At least the secretary General didn't say anything. His phone buzzes in his pocket.

Alpha

Is my tea ready yet? Bring it as soon as your done

Alpha

Please

He smiles at the attempt. He is trying, and at this moment that is all that matters. He may still be a little mad for that lie and his life being turned into a story, but he may be able to let go soon.
Or maybe he won't, but he will deal with it soon.

His phone buzzes again as he is placing the tea on his tray.

Alpha

Hire an expert on Omega discrimination and stereotypes to give some HR approved meetings here. An Omega.

Alpha

And put it on my calendar

He is trying. 

He is truly trying. 

He wants him, not only his body, but him. All of him. Including the Omega part of him.

His eyes sting, he wants to do something for his Alpha. Would it be to foward to remove his scent patch during an hour or so while they are in the office today?
He has been feeling slightly more at ease with his scent out with Wen lang in short windows of time. Of course, almost all of it has been when they've been intimate.

But– Wen Lang has been trying so hard to open up, he could show some vulnerability as well.
He wants– he wants this to work. He never thought he could ever have this. 

He wants to try as well.

Just for today, just a couple of minutes while he delivers the tea. He lifts the corner of his scent patch. Just a little. Just a couple of minutes. He also makes a mental note to bring up the marks every time Wen Lang marks him closer and deeper. They need to talk about it. 

He makes his way into the office, tray in hand. As soon as he knocks to announce himself, he can feel the presence of his Alpha.

Okay, then.

That strong presence only an s-tier Alpha can have. 

His Alpha.

Fuck, Shen Wen Lang is truly ruining him. He has never been like this before, well, to be fair he had never had sex before and less with someone that he deeply cared about. someone he loved.

He shudders at remembering the feeling of being so full just this morning.

Heavens

He has to get a grip on his hormones. They are at work. They are at the office. He will not be a desperate heat controlled omega.

He enters the office, the room is so familiar. Years and years of him working there, but now everything is different. Still, they are the same Shen Wen Lang S-Tier Alpha and himself an Omega.

He is an Omega

No matter how much he has denied it.

He can feel that strong stare on him as soon as he turns the corner. Intense pheromones screaming ownership. It's almost reassuring how he is not the only one affected by this new thing between them.

Those intense eyes follow him and don't blink as he walks closer, not showing anything until he arrives in front of the Alpha. He places the tray on the desk between them.

"Did Hua Yong apologize? Asks his Alpha.

"In his own way."

The Alpha nods in that curt way of his. He remains standing, pinned by those eyes focused on him. So similar to that way he would not look away those days when he had just learnt of his designation, before they got together.

"Good."

Gao Tu nods. He feels like prey.

Not here.

"Is there anything else you need President Shen?" He asks, trying to remind him of the request he had made to not do anything at the office.

Not here, Wen Lang.

The Alpha stands up. That gaze no longer looking at him from the chair but now above. He walks around the desk.

"What do you have in your face?"

He nervously laughs, his hands pressed to his sides. He had almost forgotten with that heartfelt attempt at changing. Learning. "Hua Yong insisted. It's just makeup."

"You look different." The Alpha semi growls as he stands in front of him.

Does he look bad? He knows its different, softer, feminine– omegan.

But he is an omega.

"I was going to wash it. I just had to do your tea first. I'll go do it now."

"Don't you fucking dare." Growls the Alpha and kisses him with surprising strength.

The kiss is dizzying, so intense and prodding. The Alpha's mouth and his tongue being forced into his mouth as he gasps in surprise when his legs hit the desk behind him.
They shouldn't– they're in the office, but Wen Lang had been so good. He is trying. And he wants his Alpha.
He loves being full. He longs for that connection to his Alpha.

"We can't." He whimpers as he pushes the Alpha away with pathetically soft pushes. "We're at work."

"Tell me to stop then, omega." Says the alpha, giving him a chance. 

"No."

The Alpha smirks at him and dives in to lick into his neck and feed on his scent gland. He hugs the Alpha closer at the bites and removal of his scent patch. His desperate scent blooms in the room.

He wants to, so desperately he wants his Alpha to touch him.

"The door. Alpha." He whines.

"It's closed."

"Lock it." He asks, forcing his brain to work even partially between the mating and ownership pheromones his Alpha is releasing.

The only suppressor he took already must be mostly gone by now. His brain drunk on the pheromones of this Alpha and his own.

The Alpha pushes him into the desk, between the tea tray and the laptop. He will not have them be discovered or walked in in his first fucking day back to work or on their first day together.

"Stay" the Alpha kisses onto his lips as he leaves him there to lock the door.

The Alpha comes back soon enough. And Gao Tu is already desperate for him. He is ruined now. As soon as he is back, Gao Tu pulls the Alpha from his tie and brings them together in a fierce kiss.

"Mine."

"Yours. " He replies, and it's getting too familiar too soon.

The Alpha makes a noise between a growl and purr as they meet each other in a new kiss. Claiming each other between sighs and deep kisses as he dares to explore the mouth of his Alpha. He can't get enough of it, his taste, his scent. 

His Alpha pulls away from his lips as he starts to kiss and mark his neck, pulling on his tie, and making a place between his open legs to get closer. He hugs him with his legs. 

It does make him go a little soft how the Alpha needs to feed on his scent and leave marks every time they do it. They will definitely need to talk about it. 

He doesn't want a collar. But he does get so marked every time.

But they're at the office.

"Not the neck." He manages to say. "They'll see."

He wasn't wearing them when he entered the office. The Alpha growls a possessive "Mine", but nods against the fabric of his shirt. He pushes away his coat and pulls on the white clothing item to open it. It's harsh and rushed.

He frowns. "Don't break it. You already ruined one of my work shirts. I only have two left."

Wen Lang kisses an apology in his chest. Just under where his neck ends.

"I'll buy you an entire clothing store."

He shakes his head and the Alpha nips on his skin.

"And a makeup store as well if you wish to." The Alpha says as he steals a gentle bite of his nipple.

He yelps as his back arches at the caresses on the other one.

"It was a one time thing."

"We were supposed to be a one time thing. And now you're mine."

Gao Tu brings him back into his lips.

His pants are pushed down and suddenly his Alpha is on his knees again. Devouring his entrance, prodding licks and then fingers to prepare him. He is not sure if it's necessary after everything they did just this morning, but he does like it a lot so he doesn't complain. It does make him weak to have the Alpha so eager for his pleasure.

Serving him.

Serving an Omega.

"You're so fucking sweet" the Alpha gives him a long lick and leaves a small kiss on his tight  and then dives back in to scissor him open and continue to prepare him.

"Wen Lang. Now." He half orders. "We don't have the time now."

The Alpha gives another slow lick, and removes his fingers. So empty.

"I am the CEO. They will wait for me."

"I will not make you late." He mumbles as he pulls on the expensive tie of his Alpha again to bring him closer. "Now. Alpha."

His Alpha kisses him through the initial burn. 

Yes, finally full again.

He hugs him closer with his arms and legs wanting him as close as possible even with the intrusion.

"So tight, bunny."

He can only whine in response, his brain deciding that pleasure is more important than anything else. Thank thinking, than making it on time to the meeting to close the deal with the british.

His Alpha starts thrusting into him hard and fast, not giving him any time to adapt. It's so good he can only hold on and let himself be used. It's better this way, he would cry if they didn't have the time for him to be knotted.

The movements are strong and fierce and he loves it, it had only been this morning, but he had missed it.

The Alpha lets go of him and he cries out at the loss of contact, but he is quickly pushed back into the desk, his back hitting the wood and his Alpha is starting an even harsher pace, his hands gripping his hip and holding him down by the neck. not quite scruffing, but enough to keep him there.

He will probably have bruises. Right now he doesn't care.

As pleasure builds and the knot starts to form, his thoughts grow hazier and he grows louder, his Alpha swallowing his mewling sounds between hungry kisses.

"Mine. Only mine to hear" 

He comes with his Alphas name in his mouth as they kiss like they need it.

Wen Lang finishes inside of him again and knots him full against the desk.

It's nice, almost perfect. Almost sweet

Maybe they can have this.

Yes, maybe they can truly have this.

Chapter Text

After the couple of days that he technically didn't work at HS group anymore, and that almost missed meeting with the British, Gao Tu had a lot of work. More than usual.
It was piles and piles of almost missed deadlines, documents to check and many tasks that his peers had not completed yet. He supposed it made sense, he just left and didn't tell anyone. 

Still, it was a lot.

Even Wen Lang had to stay after hours. Not his usual choice to stay, but having to stay as apparently some of his CEO duties had been slightly overlooked.
They still got to spend time together and alone in the office after most people had left. It was grounding, a nice way to return to normal while blending it with their change in relationship.

Helping it to remain stable while it evolved. It was welcomed, but at the same time, it left them more tired than usual at the end of the day.
The only downside was that they had not done it in a couple of days. Of course, they still cuddled together in the less than a couple of minutes it took them to fall asleep. The Alpha would keep him inside his arms or under him so he wouldn't leave, but still, he couldn't help feeling– empty.
And Wen Lang– he would still attempt to start things in the brief moments they had (even in busy moments), and Gao Tu wanted it, but they didn't have the time. Even Wen Lang knew it. Still, it didn't stop the Alpha from trying.

When all of this was finally done, they could go to bed. Soon... hopefully

Fuck, he had never been like that.

His libido was barely present at all before, but lately Wen Lang's scent seemed to have an unexpected effect on him. Like his own hormones were different, like something was a little different in his body. 

Perhaps by taking fewer suppressants, his body was more sensitive to the Alpha's scent?

At those moments when the Alpha displayed dominance or showed it with his pheromones, his core would throb with need.
Heavens, he was acting like a heat-prone omega. 

So desperate.

What was going on with him? He really had to go to his doctor soon... but first this, and he had to go check on his sister, and soon she would be released. He needed to arrange everything and sign the release forms and get his place ready, and start looking for a new apartment soon.

Still, even while working, he still had that small worry at the back of his mind about his health. It probably wasn't anything important, but he felt something was different.
He was tired, but not his usual kind of tired, his stomach felt heavy, even when eating kind of well, smells and scents were different, just a little to the left. 

And now that new thing with how much he wanted Wen Lang to touch him. It was pathetic, really.

At least he knew his Alpha wanted him as much, well, he hoped so.

He shook his head and continued typing on the laptop at his desk. At least this was almost done. Things would be calmer tomorrow.

He glanced at the flowers on his desk. The Alpha had claimed the flower vases, and the single flower in each of them was to boost morale for all of the secretaries on that floor. Still, he couldn't help but notice the flower on his desk had a smaller second flower blooming from the same stem. 

Could it be?

He shook his head. Work first.

After that, he would go to the doctor. All of the small yellow flags were probably related to his pheromone disorder; taking a normal dose of suppressants was probably a big change for his system, and that was probably affecting his hormones and everything.

He hoped it was just that and not something bad.

It was already dark. Almost everyone was gone from the building. He just had to confirm the issue with the elevators was fully resolved, and he could go home for the day. They had to make sure they were working properly after the earthquakes so the employees wouldn't be at risk.

Wen Lang walked directly to his desk and sat at the edge of it, that intense gaze on him.

"Ready to go back home, bunny?" Asked his Alpha.

He felt himself blush the tiniest bit. "We are at work, President Shen."

The Alpha shook his head while smirking.

"Everyone is gone, I made sure just now. Come on, I'll take you home."

He looked back at his screen. It was late, but he was almost done.

"I need ten more minutes and I'll be done. Also, I have to print and have you sign the elevator report to have it sent to the city hall. City regulations need it done sone to avoid you getting fined."

"Can that be done tomorrow?"

Gao Tu nods, but still he continues typing. His eyes focused on the task at hand. Almost done.

He does enjoy his work, but in days like these, he would prefer a little less of all of it. At least it is not that often. He is busy every day, but this is more than usual, and he does love being next to his Alpha during the day. Not long ago, it was all that he could hope for.

His Alpha.

He can feel those eyes focused on him.

He clicks Save on the file. Prints it and hands it to the Alpha, who automatically signs it without reading it. He is not sure how he feels about that kind of trust.

"Stay the night with me. I'll order something, and you can cancel the first two hours of work for both of us so you can sleep in."

"That's preferential treatment."

"No one has to know. You've been tired, I want to take care of you."

He smiles faintly while turning off the computer. The Alpha smiles back at him in that authentic but small way of his.

"I'll think about it."

As soon as he gets up from his desk, the Alpha does the same and helps him with his suitcase, holding his hand with the other. He hides his face, looking at the floor.

Who would know the Alpha would be such a gentleman?

"Will you go back with me, Tu?" Asks the Alpha when the door of the elevator closes behind them.

"Okay."

Wen Lang lets go of his hand to kiss him. Something slow and light, the doors can open at any moment. Gao Tu steps away when all he wants is to get closer; he's feeling warm, and his body is slowly starting to ask for more. 

Why is he so eager lately?

He likes it, yes. But the last three days or so it feels as if he truly needed it.

It seems his Alpha has the same idea as he places his free hand on his waist and applies pressure with his hand, getting them closer again.

"It's been a while."

"Not here." He says when all he wants is for Wen Lang to knot him right there.

"I know, bunny."

He puts more distance between them and leaves the elevator as soon as it opens. The Alpha just behind him.
That's new.

It seems he didn't have any reason at all to worry about Wen Lang wanting him. He is just being silly. Emotional.

They both enter the car, and the driver starts the journey back as soon as he confirm they are going to The apartment. He briefly wonders if the driver knows what they are. He has to; they don't hide it in the car. 

He hopes Wen Lang pays the driver well.

He settles in the car, his eyes closed, with the weight of the last couple of days. The seats are comfortable. The sound of the window between the driver and them being closed makes him open his eyes.

What is Wen Lang doing?

Suddenly, he has a warm and eager Alpha almost on his lap, kissing and nibbling his neck with desperation. He can only hold onto those strong arms and offer his neck to the welcomed assault. He will have to buy concealer tomorrow. He doesn't have any at Wen Lang's apartment.

It doesn't matter now.

"Can I?" Asks his Alpha while pulling on his scent patch with his teeth.

He whimpers a yes. His body already screaming.

Wen Lang removes it with slow precision just to start kissing his scent gland and nibbling on it with those sharp teeth. He can actually feel Wen Lang grow hard as soon as he gains access to his scent. He moans at that.

Wen Lang really likes his scent.

Heavens. He really hopes Wen Lang pays his driver well.

He wants to be full again, to be knotted and connected by the fireplace. Not here.

He tells so to his Alpha, who is already unbuttoning his shirt and feasting on the skin revealed. 

Where did his coat go? 

When did Wen Lang remove it?

At that very moment, they arrive at the apartment.
They leave the car in silence. It would be so painfully obvious for anyone to know what they were doing. His Alpha was kind enough to lend him his coat to cover himself from any eyes that might look towards them. He is a mess already.

The coat is warm, soft, and expensive. It's big on him and it smells so much of his Alpha that he feels himself on the brink of a heat, but not quite.

He really needs to go see a doctor. Also, if he is off the suppressants now, even though his uterus was not properly developed, could anything grow now? It shouldn't, not after at least a year or more without taking anything, and that would be possible only if no permanent damage was done. That's what his doctor had said months ago, before any of this had happened.

Perhaps they should start wearing protection soon.

The Alpha places a protective and possessive hand on the small of his back as they ride the elevator up. He doesn't dare to look at himself in the mirror; his hair is surely a mess. The tie is gone, his shirt was hurriedly and wrongly buttoned, and they both smell like each other. Not only that, but eager and aroused pheromones.

They are not newly presented juveniles. They have to behave.

He is not sure if they will get to eat, though.

A couple of floors before they make it into the apartment, the door opens at the gym and spa floor, and another Alpha gets in. A-class at most, muscular. Handsome, but not his type. He has never truly looked at someone since he met Wen Lang. Things would have been easier that way, maybe.

They both can see how the other alpha discreetly sniffs the air inside the small metal room, and then he turns a little to look at the omega whose desperate scent it belongs to.

The poor man is not even done turning when Wen Lang is already growling. Full and loud feral growl, and bringing the Omega closer to his chest, both arms tense around his body. He is smaller than Wen Lang, yes. But not that much to be fully covered.

His scent screams Mine.

The minor alpha turns back and leaves the elevator in a hurry as soon as he is on his floor. The tiny space is even more saturated with their pheromones. He needs his Alpha.

Now

They don't get to eat the food while it is still warm.

They don't even get to bring it inside as it waited to be picked up by the door. Left behind on the floor.

They don't even make it into the room. They end up on the plush carpet and over the couch in the living room. The main door of the apartment thankfully closed.
Wen Lang is licking between his legs and desperately preparing him as the Omega hides his moans on the decorative and expensive cushion over him.

Yes. He needed this.

That tongue, he can feel it inside of himself, reaching such hidden places. He slicks more at the thought, and his Alpha hums pleased and licks deeper. He is two fingers deep already. Good enough.

"Now, Alpha." He whines. "I'm ready."

Wen Lang leaves a soothing kiss on the inside of his thigh. 

"Patience. I don't want to hurt you, bunny."

He shakes his head. It's touching that the Alpha wants to take care of him, but now he needs something different.
He needs it now, or he will go crazy. He doesn't know what's gotten into him, but he needs it now.

Does he have to use games to have it?

"Now. Wen Lang, or I'll go ask that other Alpha instead–"

He is not even done lying about wanting another when Wen Lang is already fully inside of him. It burns, and it's so much bigger than he remembered, but it's so good. He is so lucky to have an S-Class Alpha boyfriend.

"Mine." Growls the Alpha against his skin as he starts fucking him desperately, eager and fast movements filling him. "Only mine. I'm going to fill you with pups, bunny. Have you full at all times, only me."

He only nods and cries in delight. 

Soon, he is covered with bites left all over his body, and he whines in delight as he is taken and marked. He missed it so much.

Shen Wen Lang has ruined him.

He loves it.

After the second knot, they lay on the plush carpet as it goes down. At some point in the second round, they fell off the couch, but the Omega would not let him stop to go back to the couch or to the bed. They continued there. It was soft enough.

They wait for the knot to go down together in the soft surface. He rests his head in his crossed arms, and the Alpha leaves kisses and nibbles all over his neck and upper back. Wen Lang is heavy, but he doesn't feel crushed or trapped; he feels– safe.

He feels a small apologetic lick over his most recent mark. Thankfully, it's not deep enough to be a true mark, but dangerously close to his mating gland.

They have to address it soon, right?

It's reckless for him to allow himself to be marked like this. They both should want it, and for it to be outside of instinct-based mating. 

Does Wen Lang want him to truly mark him?

It could just be instinct, but it feels more than that.

The Alpha sighs against the tender skin of the bite.

"I almost lost control. I'm sorry."

"But you didn't."

He feels the shake of his head against his skin and then the caress of his lips. "I almost marked you, Tu. Permanently, I could only feel the need to make you mine. And I didn't ask."

Oh

Oh

But it's too soon, right?

Does Wen Lang even want that? And he means Wen Lang, not the Alpha, not the instincts. Does he? Is how the Alpha always mentions wanting to breed him while they do it, but he doesn't want to be a father.