Chapter 68: A Brush of Lips

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Karai

“There are two sofas facing each other. Please, sit,” Elaine instructed through the earpiece.

Lu Yao chose the one by the window. Outside the floor-to-ceiling glass, sunlight filtered through the tall linden trees, their leaves flickering like silver scales in the breeze. A light barrier concealed the garden from the outside world; nothing inside the room or yard could be seen by passersby. Yet when the sun’s rays penetrated the glass, Lu Yao felt a faint sense of being watched as light danced across his knees.

Especially with Zhou Yunchen sitting opposite, the side cabinet between them held the neatly arranged boxes of “safety equipment,” slightly angled—visible with just a tilt of the head—as if silently signaling something.

Who was watching? The sun? Something else… Lu Yao raised his gaze and met Zhou Yunchen’s eyes, which seemed at once to encompass him entirely, yet as he blinked, he realized Zhou Yunchen was simply watching with solemn focus.

Zhou Yunchen had changed out of his military uniform into the pale blue hospital clothing Elaine had provided. The soft, billowy fabric clung to his form just enough to outline the muscular structure of his upper body.

If the military uniform had restrained the raw, powerful aura of the alpha, this thin hospital garment revealed it fully. Lu Yao understood why, when piloting Distant Star, he could only manage simple motions, while Zhou Yunchen maneuvered the mecha through the depths of space, slicing darkness with cannons and blades.

“Do you want the windows closed?” Zhou Yunchen asked. Lu Yao’s lashes fluttered slightly. “No… it’s fine.”

With the glass transparency turned off, the room felt fully enclosed, a shared space with a predator. Still… Lu Yao looked at the thin curtains along the window. After a moment, he rose and drew them fully shut, filtering the sunlight into soft, pale pink, leaving the room private but not suffocatingly sealed.

“Are you both seated?” Elaine asked over the earpiece. Zhou Yunchen’s gaze followed Lu Yao until he returned to the sofa. “Yes.”

Lu Yao adjusted the earpiece for a tighter fit.

“Good,” Elaine said. She addressed Zhou Yunchen separately. “General Zhou, begin releasing your pheromones. Please, do so gradually.”

Zhou Yunchen licked his lips.

“No need to respond to me,” Elaine instructed. “Maintain a natural state in the room, undisturbed.”

Zhou Yunchen began releasing pheromones. The glands at his core relaxed, heat spreading through him, blood flow increasing, adrenaline surging. Through the earpiece, the vibrations of his own body became clear; his heart pounded wildly.

“Lu Yao,” Elaine switched lines. “Relax. You don’t need to sit upright. Lean back, adopt any posture you like. Make yourself physically and mentally comfortable.”

Lu Yao leaned sideways against the sofa, knees drawn slightly to the edge. At home, he would have snow leopard’s warm, soft body behind him—but today, the pillow would have to suffice.

“I’ve raised the room temperature slightly. You should feel warm, humid air circulating. You might feel a little hot.”

“Mm…”

Elaine interrupted him. “No need to reply. Imagine this space contains only you and the alpha. If you’re unsure where to place your gaze, you can close your eyes or look at the person opposite.” Lu Yao pursed his lips and raised his eyes to Zhou Yunchen.

“If you wish, you may converse. That’s okay,” Elaine added.

“Lu Yao…” Zhou Yunchen leaned forward, studying the shrinking figure on the sofa, his face warming. “Are you alright?”

“Mm?” Lu Yao gave a soft hum, his cold voice carrying a slight rasp. “A little hot.”

Heat rippled across his back, trickling down his chest and rising into his nose and forehead, dulling his mind. He tried to drink water, but none was in the room; his Adam’s apple bobbed as he forced himself to endure.

“Are you releasing pheromones?” Lu Yao asked through the rising haze in his mind.

“Yes.” Five minutes into the release, Lu Yao’s body had already begun reacting fully, the rising heat and internal panic crawling into his lungs. Pain flared like a crashing impact in his brain, his flushed face a mask of suffering.

“Lu Yao!” Zhou Yunchen leapt up, moving to support him. Yet when he touched Lu Yao, the trembling only intensified. Across the thin layer of clothing, the alpha’s warmth seared him.

“Should I stop?” Zhou Yunchen asked urgently.

“No, keep it gradual. I’m monitoring him,” Elaine said, her eyes on the soaring readings, sharp with focus.

Lu Yao leaned against the sofa, body tilting, struggling to open his eyes. The pain blurred his vision. He grasped for support with his hands, the only part still responsive. Zhou Yunchen, touched on the throat by Lu Yao’s fingers, did not recoil. He allowed Lu Yao’s grip, rubbing gently as Lu Yao’s finger traced near the pheromone gland, trying to tame the tormenting source.

“Don’t think,” Elaine instructed Lu Yao. “Empty your mind. Do not dwell on memories.”

Only the muffled sounds of his suffering came through the earpiece.

“Now, focus on the changes within your body. You know how alpha pheromones affect an omega—it isn’t meant to be painful. Stay in the present. Don’t recall the past.”

Countless black-and-red flashes tore across Lu Yao’s mind. He struggled, but could not clear his thoughts or illusions. All he could do was open his eyes and let reality fill his vision. A haze of moisture blurred his sight, yet he saw a figure moving, calling his name. Lu Yao forced his eyes wider, and vaguely saw his hand clutching Zhou Yunchen’s neck, leaving a ring of red fingerprints as if holding down prey.

The breathing beneath his palm slowed almost to silence, making it seem as if Zhou Yunchen might stop altogether. Lu Yao froze in shock and released his grip. In the next instant, his fingers were caught.

Zhou Yunchen’s palm was warmer than his own neck. Lu Yao gasped but did not pull away. He focused on the present, as Elaine had instructed. Zhou Yunchen’s skin was not delicate; calluses roughened his palms, especially the meat of his hand, hardened from years of gripping firearms and piloting mecha. Some of the dry, raised skin scratched lightly, a mixture of pain and itch…

No, he couldn’t manage it. Lu Yao closed his eyes, his water-laden, swollen eyes stinging. He gripped Zhou Yunchen’s fingers as if holding his neck, trying to channel the reactions stirred by the pheromones in his own body. He curled inward, knees tight, toes clawed into the floor, as if this posture could vent the agitation within. Desire was heavier than pain.

His arms and calves trembled; muscles coiled, blood pumping heat throughout his body. The faint scent of catnip pheromones wafted in waves, sweat running down his neck into his collar. His fingers nearly dug into Zhou Yunchen’s flesh. He buried his face, hiding his expression, yet pulled Zhou Yunchen’s hand into both of his, pressing it against his own eyes. The tremble of his pupils and the scorching moisture pressed against Zhou Yunchen’s palm.

Zhou Yunchen’s own state was not much better. Originally standing, he now half-knelt, hiding his own reactions. His gaze drifted uncontrollably toward the brightly colored boxes on the side cabinet.

Elaine had prepared alpha suppressants… and yet also placed these things in the room. What did she mean?

“Ugh…”

Soft whimpers reached Zhou Yunchen’s ears. Lu Yao’s grip tightened. He collected his wandering thoughts. Lu Yao was suffering, and there was nothing he could do but be present. He reached out with his other hand, pausing briefly in the air before resting it gently on Lu Yao’s back, patting lightly. He wanted Lu Yao to feel some comfort. At least, he liked it as a snow leopard when Lu Yao did this. Time passed. The earpiece remained quiet for long moments before Elaine’s voice cut in. “General Zhou, readings are steadily decreasing. Has Lu Yao fallen asleep?”

Zhou Yunchen lowered his gaze. Lu Yao’s breathing had evened out, his body no longer trembling. His long hair shadowed his pale face, still flushed faintly with residual warmth. “Yes… he’s asleep,” Zhou Yunchen whispered.

“Good. You may stop releasing pheromones.”

“Doctor… is it over?”

“Not quite. Let him rest a bit longer—he’s exhausted. If you wish to stay with him, that would be best.”

“Mm.”

“Thank you, General Zhou.”

Lu Yao still clutched Zhou Yunchen’s right hand. Zhou Yunchen adjusted the strands of hair falling against Lu Yao’s cheek with his left hand. His lips appeared in profile. Usually, Lu Yao’s lips were pale, sharp in line, but up close, their softness was almost tangible. Yet sight alone is not touch. Moreover, now his lips were bitten red, like ripe cherries.

Zhou Yunchen’s fingers hovered, then silently withdrew. He studied Lu Yao’s serene profile. After a moment, he leaned down. The closer he got, the denser the catnip pheromones seemed to gather around him. His lips touched Lu Yao’s gently: first the upper ridge, then the cupid’s bow, finally the full, soft lower lip. Lu Yao’s eyelashes fluttered.

Author’s Note:

After the snow leopard licks, humans also need licking.

 

 

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