Paranoid Alpha Chapter 21: Jealousy

Chapter 21: Jealousy

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: CaiCai

Within the starship, a silence enveloped the cabin. Lyss bit his lip, clutching his own tail tightly. Seeing this, Lu Xingye rudely snatched the snowy white tip of Lyss’s tail from his hand and, under Lyss’s sudden gaze, gently bit into it.

Biting one’s own tail versus having it bitten by someone else resulted in completely different sensations. Lyss couldn’t bear it and took a sharp breath, abruptly closing his eyes and saying, “…neither of them.”

Lu Xingye squinted, lowering his head to press the white wolf tail against Lyss’s tattoo. “What’s this?”

The damp fur brushed against the collarbone, and tears unconsciously welled up in Lyss’s already reddened eyes.

“I’ve been contemplating what I really am… twenty years ago, I was awakened by a Triss person. He told me I was born for Triss… I don’t remember what happened before I fell into a slumber; I only recall sleeping for a long time…” Lyss couldn’t help but raise a hand to Lu Xingye’s shoulder. “Inappropriate as it sounds, it’s as if someone loaded data into a human vessel, creating a being that’s neither human nor computer.”

His tone was unusually calm, but Lu Xingye instantly detected his unusual emotions.

“That’s indeed an inappropriate analogy.” Lu Xingye lightly bit the tattoo and earned a sudden deepening of breath from Lyss. “Neither human nor computer, wouldn’t that be a deity? Your self-deprecation, my dear, is quite incompetent.”

After the interstellar catastrophe centuries ago, artificial humans became an unspoken taboo throughout interstellar space. Lyss wasn’t afraid of what Lu Xingye might do upon learning this; he had prepared for various reactions. He hadn’t anticipated Lu Xingye’s current behavior. Unconsciously, Lyss increased the strength of his grip, his fingers trembling slightly as they sank into Lu Xingye’s shoulder. “…Is there nothing else you want to say?”

Lu Xingye chuckled softly. “What? Does the esteemed Chief want me to say something else?” Lyss remained silent. Lu Xingye noticed and leaned in close to his ear. “Is the esteemed Chief afraid I’ll call the interstellar patrol to arrest you?”

The dangerous fangs of the wolf cub were close to his neck, and Lyss looked up at him, “…Would you?”

“Would I… that depends on the esteemed Chief’s performance.” Lu Xingye smiled dangerously. “Speaking of which, the esteemed Chief woke up twenty years ago, which means, by age, you’re only two years older than me.”

This kind of calculation left Lyss momentarily stunned. “…I just don’t remember what happened before; it doesn’t mean I’m only twenty years old.”

“I don’t care. Let’s be factual; you’re two years older than me.” Lu Xingye lightly laughed. “How about I call you ‘big brother’?”

That term seemed to strike a nerve with Lyss. His eyes widened slightly as he locked gazes with Lu Xingye for three seconds, realizing the other was serious. He immediately changed from his previous accommodating demeanor and was about to sit up, pressing his hand against the bed. “…No, don’t call me that.”

Seeing this, Lu Xingye seemed to have discovered a treasure. He hugged Lyss’s waist, leaning in to tease him near his ear. “Big brother—”

Lyss shivered uncontrollably, struggling like never before. His struggle was not like an ordinary person’s; it was a genuine resistance. Lu Xingye made no effort to evade, and a rather long wound was instantly drawn on his neck, blood oozing out.

The neck was a vulnerable spot for humans, and Lyss never expected Lu Xingye not to dodge. He hesitated for a moment and immediately stopped his movements. Seizing this opportunity, Lu Xingye once again pushed Lyss back into place and retaliated by biting his neck.

“Ah!”

Lu Xingye licked the fresh blood flowing from the wound on his neck, chuckling lightly. “Don’t forget, big brother… you’ve given me leverage.”

Lyss paused for a moment, and the force on Lu Xingye’s shoulder immediately weakened. He looked up at Lu Xingye, hesitated for a while, and slowly moved the hand resting on the other’s shoulder upwards, hooking it around his neck. Lu Xingye kissed him on the cheek. “A wise man knows when to yield.”

A meteor streaked rapidly outside the starship, the myriad of stars in the sky dazzling, resembling a flowing stream of the starry sea. Lyss slowly opened his eyes and looked at the galaxy outside the starship. His body had completely calmed down.

Dry and clean, it was evident that he had been cleaned up. Every inch of his skin felt as if it had been massaged, an unprecedented tranquility and comfort enveloping him. Lyss quietly leaned against the head of the bed, understanding for the first time the true meaning of “leisure.”

At that moment, Lu Xingye walked in carrying food, not saying a word as he placed it by the bedside. He was unusually silent, lacking the previous ease and joy in his expression, instead seeming somewhat sullen.

Lyss immediately noticed his mood but didn’t understand the reason behind it. In reality, Lu Xingye’s displeasure was simple. They had gone through the final step between them, and Lyss’s estrus period had ended, yet… Lu Xingye couldn’t detect Lyss’s pheromones.

In situations of low compatibility, this scenario could occur, where the external manifestation of “reproductive isolation” between different species would be an inability to mark. Lyss and Lu Xingye had a 99% compatibility, indicating that the inability to mark wasn’t related to reproductive isolation.

In fact, for Lyss, the concept of complete marking didn’t exist at all. So, he was somewhat puzzled. “Are you unhappy?”

Lu Xingye immediately said, “No.”

It was apparent that there was something, so Lyss picked up the bowl of dumplings. “Why?”

Lu Xingye remained silent for a long time until Lyss nearly finished the bowl of dumplings. He awkwardly spoke up, “There’s no scent of my pheromones on you.”

Lyss wasn’t foolish; he immediately understood Lu Xingye’s meaning. “Sorry, I forgot to tell you, even if… it happens, you won’t be able to completely mark me.” Unless you rewrite my original code.

But Lyss didn’t say the latter part.

Lu Xingye felt a bit low. Lyss, seeing this, asked, “Is that bad? From what I know, an alpha can only fully mark one omega in their lifetime. If you could mark me, wouldn’t that be a restriction for you?”

Lu Xingye tasted a hint of bitterness. He frowned. “What do you mean by that, Chief?”

Lyss didn’t understand why, after trying to console him, Lu Xingye seemed even angrier. He was just honestly explaining, “I mean, we’re not in a mate relationship. You don’t have to be responsible for me.”

“…Not responsible?” Lu Xingye widened his eyes incredulously, seemingly unable to believe that Lyss could be so heartless. He interrupted Lyss directly, “Chief, after sleeping with someone, do you intend not to acknowledge it?”

His words left Lyss stunned. Lu Xingye, with a firm tone, questioned, “You said you needed an alpha, you asked me to help with a temporary marking. Now that everything has been done, as the dignified Chief of Triss, do you not intend to take responsibility for me?”

Lu Xingye seemed to genuinely believe in what he was saying, even sounding somewhat aggrieved. This silenced Lyss involuntarily for a moment.

After a while, Lyss said, “…Responsible.”

Lu Xingye pressed, “Who’s responsible for whom?”

“I’m responsible for you,” replied Lyss.

“You said it yourself.” Lu Xingye smiled, sitting by the bed and pulling Lyss into his arms, whispering something in his ear.

Setting down his bowl, Lyss murmured, “…Don’t tease.”

“I’m not teasing, you said you’d take responsibility,” Lu Xingye persisted.

The playful wolf was finally quieted by a single kiss from Lyss. The calm didn’t last long.

“There are still seven or eight days left until the vacation ends,” Lu Xingye hinted, “Does the Chief decide to end the vacation early, or…”

“A rare holiday shouldn’t be easily wasted,” Lyss interrupted before Lu Xingye could express his happiness, then changed the subject, “It’s time to wrap things up.”

Upon hearing this and realizing that the extension of the vacation wasn’t about spending time together, Lu Xingye became unhappy and puzzled, “You’re not present, how will you wrap things up?”

“Someone will do it for me,” Lyss casually remarked.

It had been seven days since they left Starfall Sea. The starship had been set on autopilot by Lu Xingye, floating in space for seven days. They spent these days together onboard. Now that the estrus period was over, it was time to go home.

Two hours later, the starship landed smoothly on Triss. Countless officials eagerly awaited below, yet they didn’t see Lyss. Instead, they witnessed a flying craft gliding out from the starship. Finally returning home, as soon as they entered the house, Lyss didn’t say a word. He changed into a robe and headed for the bathroom.

Observing Lyss’s actions, Lu Xingye raised an eyebrow, “I thought the Chief had a phobia of bathrooms.”

The experiences on the starship were somewhat vague for Lyss. He had spent very little time fully conscious during those seven days. So when Lu Xingye mentioned this, Lyss didn’t immediately grasp it, “What?”

“Forget it already?” Lu Xingye was about to go shower as well, but upon hearing Lyss’s confusion, he paused and walked over, “I tried so hard to please you back then. You’re quite heartless, big brother.”

This address suddenly triggered Lyss’s memories of what happened in the starship bathtub. He glanced at Lu Xingye, then wordlessly entered the bathroom.

Behind him, Lu Xingye’s voice carried a playful tone, “What do you want for dinner tonight?”

Lyss didn’t look back, “Dumplings.”

“Got it.”

Influenced by Lu Xingye’s recent comment, Lyss hesitated in front of the bathroom downstairs but eventually chose the one on the right. As he gradually filled the bathtub with water, Lyss realized that his body was reacting unexpectedly after days of indulgence. If he had known earlier, he would have chosen cold water.

Yet it was too late. Taking a deep breath, he touched the tattoo on his collarbone, attempting to calm himself completely.

This bath took Lyss longer than usual. He used the time for contemplation and to adapt to the changes in his body. When the water in the bathtub had cooled entirely, he slowly opened his eyes, his emotionless golden eyes gazing calmly at the water’s surface, connecting the clues in his mind.

The logical chain was taking shape, leaving only the final two pieces—the mysterious black wolf alpha and the betrayer within Triss. Stepping out of the cooled bath, Lyss wrapped himself in a robe and left the bathroom. The familiar sound of chopping came from the kitchen. The thought of enjoying delicious dumplings soon relaxed Lyss unconsciously.

Just as he intended to head to the kitchen to see Lu Xingye cooking, the doorbell of the villa suddenly rang.

In modern times, doorbells were rarely used. Lu Xingye was unfamiliar with them and hurriedly stepped out from the kitchen, “What’s wrong? What’s with the alarm?”

“It’s not an alarm, it’s the doorbell,” Lyss corrected him.

“The doorbell?” Lu Xingye, still wearing a yellow apron, wrinkled his brow, “Who’s free to visit at this late hour?”

“The person who will wrap things up for me,” Lyss said as he went to open the door.

Lu Xingye saw Lyss in a bathrobe, the narrow waist almost visible under the fabric. He quickly held him back, “I’ll open the door. Would you mind going back and changing?”

Lyss glanced at his attire, thought for a moment, then nodded and turned back into the bedroom. Seeing Lyss retreat, Lu Xingye relaxed and brushed the flour off his hands before heading to the door. He promptly opened it.

A blond male alpha stood outside, visibly taken aback upon seeing Lu Xingye. He quickly recovered and said, “I’m looking for Lyss.”

Without even a greeting, he seemed to be emitting hostility through his expression. Despite the alpha’s appearance being quite handsome, Lu Xingye’s internal alarm bells started ringing as soon as he heard him address Lyss directly.

“Oh, I see,” Lu Xingye pretended to be indifferent. “Silverfang isn’t available at the moment. Please come in.”

Saying so, he didn’t bother about the alpha’s expression and walked straight into the living room. But the alpha, rather conscious, followed him in.

A sound of the door locking echoed from behind. A voice spoke up, “You’re the alpha Lyss brought back?”

Lu Xingye stopped in his tracks, turning to look at him.

“I’m Hilton,” the blond alpha smirked, about to announce his rank. 

Lu Xingye interrupted directly, “Your name isn’t important to me. Silverfang is waiting for me to cook for him. Excuse me, I’ll be going.”

With that, Lu Xingye walked into the kitchen, leaving Hilton alone in the living room. When Lyss came out after changing, he saw Hilton sitting alone on the living room sofa, surrounded by an awkward atmosphere for some reason. Upon seeing Lyss, Hilton hastily stood up from his seat, about to say something. He noticed that Lyss emitted no alpha pheromones.

“You really don’t…” Hilton was both surprised and relieved. “So, the vacation was just a cover. You’re indeed clever.”

Hilton’s admiration was genuine, and so was his joy.

Hearing Lyss’s voice coming from the kitchen, Lu Xingye saw Hilton’s reaction and instantly turned cold. Hilton was glad Lyss hadn’t been marked, even wishing to stay by Lyss’s side. Lu Xingye’s expression remained unchanged, but inside, he felt a surge of jealousy, wishing to throw the golden-haired man out right away.

“Vacation wasn’t a cover,” Lyss explained honestly, unaware of the hidden dynamics among alphas, “My estrus period just ended.”

Hilton’s face froze momentarily. Before he could continue, Lyss turned and introduced him to Lu Xingye, “This is Hilton, the Deputy Marshal of the Military.”

Lu Xingye chuckled insincerely, “Oh, a Deputy Marshal. My apologies.”

Hearing him emphasize the “Deputy,’ Hilton’s expression darkened. But what made it worse for him was what followed:

“This is Lu Xingye, my secretary,” Lyss interrupted his introduction halfway through, remembering Lu Xingye’s earlier request. “Also, my alpha.”