Yan Yi sat before the door, his back pressed against the frame. He wanted to leave the bedroom, but the alpha soothing pheromones seeping through the crack acted like a powerful adhesive, keeping him rooted in place. Even though he knew these pheromones were intended for the little omega enduring Lu Shangjin’s attentions inside, Yan Yi could not resist their devilish, strange allure. He allowed himself to linger, listening to the overlapping moans, letting some of the alpha’s comfort ease the burning of his own rutting, until he could muster enough strength to stand again.
He bit the edge of his black leather fingerless glove, pulling it off from his sweat-dampened hand to reveal his long, clean right hand. On his ring finger rested a platinum band, exquisitely crafted. He fished a cigarette from his pocket, lit it quietly, and leaned against the open balcony, watching the gardener pruning in the yard as he slowly exhaled a plume of smoke.
A few days ago, he had undergone a medical checkup. The doctor, holding a report filled with abnormal results, repeatedly warned him that unlike other species, rabbits like him went into heat very frequently. Using suppressants like other omegas could easily result in overmedication, with countless side effects—most importantly, reproductive disorders that could leave him infertile.
An omega unable to reproduce would be rejected by society, leaving Yan Yi to endure each surge of his rut alone.
He glanced down at the ring on his finger, touching it with a mixture of fatigue and lingering affection, like holding an old toy he couldn’t bear to throw away.
Once, he had been Lu Shangjin’s favored little omega in bed—beautiful, gentle in demeanor, yet wild and fiery in the sheets, enduring his beastly alpha’s passion through the night. Ten years ago, Lu Shangjin had been embroiled in dealings with drug lords in the Golden Triangle, with only Yan Yi by his side. To the outside world, Yan Yi was presented as Shangjin’s legitimate partner, accompanying him everywhere.
Back then, Shangjin had been tender, leaving bites on Yan Yi’s nape to assert possession, letting the potent pheromones flood his body. Despite knowing he was only a bodyguard, Yan Yi had fallen helplessly in love.
“Yan Yan, does it hurt?” Lu Shangjin would murmur from behind, moving gently, kissing Yan Yi’s collarbone and shoulder. The little omega would submit, soft and yielding, cooperating fully regardless of pain, letting Shangjin take pleasure through the night.
Afterward, Yan Yi would curl up exhausted in Shangjin’s arms, his back and soft rabbit ears stroked, soothed by the lingering calming pheromones. Even if the next day promised war and chaos, for that night, there was only indulgent passion.
That night remained the most unforgettable of Yan Yi’s life. His alpha had marked him and personally placed the ring on his finger, whispering in a deep voice: “I will love you until the end of my life, Yan Yan.”
But as people grow up, fairy tales lose their hold. Even the most passionate promises feel less substantial than a check or a black card. Great love often ends with nothing but remnants, leaving no perch for the heart.
Yan Yi envied Shangjin’s new favored omegas, living pampered lives.
An alpha as powerful as Shangjin could inspire jealousy and caution. A retired alpha no longer living amidst danger had no need for an overly strong omega; gentle, sweet omegas were the ideal partners.
Yan Yi had personally experienced Shangjin’s ruthlessness. He had been pinned to an operating table, his glands repaired, and all marks of possession erased. If Shangjin wanted to sever ties, he left no trace of himself.
Yet.
Yan Yi crushed the cigarette, lowering his gaze to kiss the ring on his finger.
“Shangjin, I’ll wait for you. Whenever you decide to return, I’ll be here.”
The cigarette burned out, but the bedroom’s tumult had not ceased. The omega’s voice grew hoarse; what was initially sticky and indulgent became tinged with painful pleading.
Yan Yi did not linger further. He went to the wardrobe, selecting a crisp tailcoat, adjusting a pristine collar, skillfully tying a new bowtie, and smoothing his jacket into a flawless fit. Dressed as a perfect butler, with spotless white gloves, he descended to prepare tea.
The quartz clock in the living room pointed to four o’clock. Lu Shangjin, wearing the shirt Yan Yi had laid out by the bedroom earlier, descended the wooden staircase, sitting on the sofa to glance at the itinerary Yan Yi had prepared.
His arched brows and sharp eyes could pierce anyone. With no flashy accessories, his presence alone commanded attention.
Yan Yi stood by the dining table, polishing porcelain, a single red rose in the vase.
“Sir, a call came in just now. The tone was firm, unwilling to let me relay the message on their behalf,” Yan Yi spoke calmly, the living room saturated only with Shangjin’s faint alpha pheromones, allowing him a rare moment of ease.
“Hm?” Shangjin replied.
Yan Yi retrieved a small notebook from his chest pocket, flipping to a partially used page. “The number is new. I traced it—it seems locked onto the Hongye Office Building in Jiu’an City.”
Shangjin’s brows rose slightly. He took the phone and dialed. The other side answered with a distorted electronic voice, initially ignoring Shangjin’s presence.
Shangjin leaned casually on the sofa. “President Xia, you can contact my assistant directly for commissions.”
The voice hesitated, the disguise cut off, returning to its alpha tone.
After hearing a brief request, Shangjin glanced at Yan Yi, responding meaningfully: “I see. You want me to secure a little rabbit omega for you.”
“Ten million. Must be alive and intact,” came the reply.
Yan Yi froze mid-pour, staring at Shangjin. His fingers trembled; the little rabbit’s instincts flared, ears tucked instinctively, heart racing.
Shangjin hung up, tossing the phone toward Yan Yi.
A sweet, soft scent entered the room. The little omega, though not allowed to remain in Shangjin’s bedroom, was permitted to stay for afternoon tea.
The omega, dressed in Shangjin’s shirt, barefoot, descended the wooden stairs, legs marked with rough fingers’ red impressions, confirming once again if he could remain.
A strikingly beautiful omega, slim and proportioned, with a small mole on the chin, soft golden-brown hair, and white-dyed eyelashes. A chain of cursive letters “freedom” adorned the neck.
Yan Yi had seen him just today in a Weibo advertisement—Yuan Mi—holding the small red bottle of skincare lotion Yan Yi had been ready to discard. The image, set against a vivid red background, forced Yan Yi to endure his gaze a moment too long, revealing countless photos from different angles.
Shangjin had long favored Yuan Mi. Three years ago, after Yuan Mi had antagonized dangerous people and been blacklisted by his company, Shangjin took him under his wing, pushing him to stardom.
Yuan Mi sat at the table as Yan Yi, left hand on the neatly folded napkin, politely poured tea and arranged blueberry-topped muffins with knife and fork.
Yuan Mi rested his chin in his hand, staring at Yan Yi. “Tone down your pheromones. I’m lactose intolerant; that milky sweetness is disgusting.”
A little star used to adoration and camera attention, he assumed he had the upper hand, sure that his sparkling diamond presence would eclipse all other omegas.
Yan Yi ignored the provocation, his calm voice describing the Whittard tea before him.
Yuan Mi, impatient with the tea’s origins, placed the sharp silver knife tip against Yan Yi’s gloved hand. Blood quickly soaked the white glove, spreading like a crimson flower along the smooth metal.
“You really don’t dodge,” Yuan Mi said, grinning. “Just like the aristocratic butler in the script.”
Yan Yi remained composed, changing gloves before pouring Shangjin a cup of tea.
Shangjin took another call, leaving the room.
Yuan Mi grabbed Yan Yi’s hand, removing the glove from his right hand. Seeing the platinum ring, he smirked. “I heard you and Shangjin had a history.”
The malicious grin pressed harshly against Yan Yi’s most vulnerable memories. The thought of someone mocking the romance he had cherished so deeply made him shrink inside.
When he regained his composure, Yuan Mi had already collapsed onto the floor, thigh fractured at the doorway. Shangjin rushed back at the sound, seeing the living room in chaos.
Yan Yi stumbled back two steps, ears flattened, heart rate skyrocketing—classic signs of a frightened little rabbit.
The young celebrity had been thrown eight meters.