SCOM - Chapter 76
Chapter 76
I’ve liked you for a very, very long time.
Had she liked him for a long, long time? Leaning against Zuo Luohuan's shoulder, Ji Yuezhi froze. He had considered what secret she wanted to tell him, guessing many possibilities, even daring to guess "I like you." However, "I like you" and "I've liked you for a long, long time" held different meanings.
Zuo Luohuan embraced Ji Yuezhi. Lowering her eyes, she could see the pheromone patch on the back of his neck. The scent clinging to him was faint now, but she knew the mark she had left on him remained beneath the patch.
"Let's change clothes and pack first?" Zuo Luohuan released him and asked gently.
After saying that, she quickly regained her composure, seemingly unaffected. If she hadn't still been holding his hand, Ji Yuezhi, in a daze, would have thought it was just his imagination.
"...Okay," Ji Yuezhi replied, but didn't move.
Zuo Luohuan raised her other hand and cupped his face. There was no particular reason; she simply wanted to do it. Ji Yuezhi didn't resist, even nuzzling against her palm, completely docile. It reminded her of those days during his heat, how obedient he had been, yielding to her every touch. Back then, she attributed it to his Omega's hazy state, but now he stood before her, confessing his feelings.
Zuo Luohuan's thumb traced Ji Yuezhi's cheek, down to the corner of his eye, caressing gently. Her cool fingertips replaced her lips, tracing his features with utmost tenderness. Her gaze deepened, yet remained restrained. Finally, she slowly lowered her hand and led him towards the opposite door.
She waited in the living room for Ji Yuezhi to change, then they went downstairs together.
...
"Are those two acting a little strange?" Jiang Hong, who had come down early to help Yan Yan tally the casualties from Xijiang Exile Star, asked his junior when he saw Zuo Luohuan and Ji Yuezhi descend together.
Yan Yan looked up and observed them carefully. "What's strange about Senior Zuo and Senior Ji?"
"Sigh, you don't understand," Jiang Hong shook his head. "Zuo Luohuan isn't usually like this. She normally… has that 'who cares' attitude. Didn't you see just now? She actually smiled at Ji Yuezhi."
It wasn't a provocative smile, nor the usual careless, nonchalant one. It was a simple, gentle smile. He couldn't quite put his finger on it.
"Oh," Yan Yan hadn't noticed. He thought they seemed the same as usual.
"You! Forget it." Jiang Hong suddenly missed Guan Xue and Qian Mao. They would definitely be gossiping with him right now.
The West Union Army and Winter Army had suffered significant casualties, especially the West Union Army. If reinforcements hadn't arrived in time, they might have been completely wiped out.
"Xijiang Exile Star currently has no Star Lord. One person from each of the West Union Army and Winter Army will jointly govern it," Xiang Chengping said, approaching Zuo Luohuan and Ji Yuezhi. "We're returning to the Capital tomorrow morning."
Xiang Chengping glanced at Zuo Luohuan. Yesterday afternoon, Ji Yuezhi had asked him for Alpha inhibitors, and he had wondered who was in rut. He initially thought it was Jiang Hong, but seeing Jiang Hong this morning, there were no signs of it. Had he given it to Zuo Luohuan?
Like everyone else at the First Military Academy, Xiang Chengping had always thought Zuo Luohuan and Ji Yuezhi had a bad relationship. Seeing them together now was a rare sight. He guessed that perhaps their relationship had improved after training together frequently.
"Are you alright?" Xiang Chengping asked. "I only have S-rank inhibitors. I don't know if they'll work for you."
He had also heard about Zuo Luohuan's extraordinarily high rank.
"I'm fine." Zuo Luohuan returned the inhibitor to Xiang Chengping and glanced at Ji Yuezhi. "I don't need it."
Xiang Chengping felt a bit sympathetic. "Then you'll have to endure it for a few more days until we reach the Capital."
Every Alpha knew the torment of a rut. Inhibitors only provided temporary relief; the best solution was to be with an Omega. However, young, single Alphas could only rely on inhibitors and endure it. It would only last a few days.
"Thank you for the reminder, Senior," Zuo Luohuan replied politely, adding meaningfully, "No need to endure too much."
Unfortunately, Xiang Chengping didn't catch the implication and nodded. "I'll go gather the rescue forces. We'll prepare to depart tomorrow morning."
...
Zuo Luohuan wasn't wrong. She didn't have to endure this rut like usual. While it wasn't a complete solution, embracing Ji Yuezhi and inhaling the pheromones from his neck provided some comfort. This person was hers now.
The back of an Omega's neck was an Alpha's favorite marking spot. Zuo Luohuan nipped and licked the soft flesh of Ji Yuezhi's gland, gently grinding her teeth. Ji Yuezhi couldn't help but let out a soft moan, which, due to his rapid breathing, sounded like a whimper.
Alphas were possessive, and this display of vulnerability from an Omega greatly satisfied Zuo Luohuan. She stopped teasing him and released her strong, almost explosive pheromones.
By the time Zuo Luohuan released Ji Yuezhi's neck, he could barely stand. She led him to the sofa and had him kneel on her lap.
Sensing something, Zuo Luohuan whispered to Ji Yuezhi. He almost lost his balance and tried to get up, but she held him down.
"It's a normal Omega physiological response," Zuo Luohuan soothed, her words, however, making Ji Yuezhi want to leave even more. "It happened during your heat too."
They didn't go any further, but the Alpha was inventive, engaging in enough edge play to leave the Omega breathless and pliant.
It was the Alpha's rut, yet Zuo Luohuan only temporarily marked the Omega as a form of relief. Ironically, it was Ji Yuezhi who was left a mess.
Ji Yuezhi knelt on Zuo Luohuan's thighs, his hands resting on her shoulders. His thin robe hung loosely, revealing his flushed skin, alluring under the light.
Zuo Luohuan hadn't done much, only raising one knee to rub against his sensitive area.
She was still wearing pants, the rough fabric causing Ji Yuezhi a dull ache mixed with an indescribable pleasure.
"I've wanted to do this to you… since your heat," Zuo Luohuan said calmly, a predatory glint in her eyes, despite her seemingly innocent actions.
Ji Yuezhi looked down into Zuo Luohuan's eyes, then rested his forehead against hers, catching his breath. "Anything you want to do… you can do to me," he said slowly and clearly.
Zuo Luohuan paused, then laughed. "Ji Yuezhi, is that considered sweet talk?"
"Mm," Ji Yuezhi responded, his eyelashes fluttering as he leaned in to kiss Zuo Luohuan.
How wicked was this Alpha? It was her rut, yet she wanted to watch the Omega lose control and come to her.
The Omega knew the Alpha's intentions, but they had just exchanged their feelings, and he was willing to indulge her.
Zuo Luohuan didn't deepen the kiss, only brushing his lips. Through his thin robe, she placed her hand on Ji Yuezhi's waist, urging him to relax. "Your optical computer is ringing," she murmured.
Ji Yuezhi leaned against her, glancing down at his wrist. He snapped back to reality and looked up at Zuo Luohuan with a hint of pleading in his eyes. "...It's my father."
In his current state, if he answered the call, Ji Xixiu would immediately know what had transpired.
Zuo Luohuan pulled his robe closed, took his optical computer, and moved him to the other end of the sofa, wrapping him in a blanket. She sat on the opposite end before answering the call.
"Zuo Luohuan?" Ji Xixiu was taken aback to see her but didn't ask about his son's whereabouts. "Ren Pingbo's involvement in Xijiang Exile Star… what happened there before?"
Zuo Luohuan didn't hide anything, recounting the past events.
Ji Xixiu frowned. "So, Ren Pingbo targeted you a year ago. He loves a challenge. Although you're much younger, your rank is exceptionally high among Alphas, and you're Zuo Dihong's daughter. He won't let you go easily."
Zuo Luohuan didn't react much to Ji Xixiu's words. Even if Ren Pingbo didn't come after her, she would go after him.
"The situation in the Capital is temporarily under control. My previous mention of going to Xijiang Exile Star was a ruse." Ji Xixiu had intended to apologize to his son, but unexpectedly, it was Zuo Luohuan who answered.
With Zuo Luohuan holding the optical computer, Ji Xixiu could guess what had happened and that his son was likely nearby.
"I'll tell him," Zuo Luohuan said.
Ji Xixiu's heart was filled with complex emotions. Before ending the call, he remained silent, but Zuo Luohuan soon received a message.
[Xiao Yue's health is fragile. I hope you can exercise restraint. Also, take precautions.]
It was from Ji Xixiu. Zuo Luohuan didn't feel embarrassed, only staring at the first half of the message for a while. Ji Xixiu clearly knew about their relationship, neither stopping them nor saying anything else, only sending this reminder.
Zuo Luohuan had been with Ji Yuezhi for so long and hadn't seen him take medication or show any signs of discomfort. The only instance she could recall was his unusual reaction during the second temporary marking during his heat.
"What's wrong?" Ji Yuezhi, now calmer, asked, sensing something amiss as Zuo Luohuan stared at her optical computer.
Zuo Luohuan closed the device and sat beside him. "Nothing. Are you feeling unwell?"
Ji Yuezhi shook his head slightly, his beautiful, moist eyes gazing at Zuo Luohuan. "I want to change clothes."
Zuo Luohuan glanced down at her damp pants and understood. "I'll get them for you. Wait here." She was quite familiar with choosing sleepwear.
After retrieving another set of pajamas from the next room, Zuo Luohuan went to shower, pondering Ji Xixiu's words. Ji Yuezhi's differentiation had been late. Could it be due to a health issue? Or did Ji Xixiu simply think her Alpha rank was too high?
Emerging from the bathroom, Zuo Luohuan quickly composed herself and entered the bedroom. Ji Yuezhi was already lying on the bed. Hearing her, he tried to get up, but she stopped him. "We have to leave early tomorrow. Go to sleep."
Zuo Luohuan turned off the lights, dried her hair briefly, and didn't immediately get into bed. Listening to Ji Yuezhi's breathing even out as he fell asleep, she left the room.
Zuo Luohuan: [How many times has the Ji family called a doctor these past few years? Are there any medication records?]
Jiang Hong was recounting his experiences on Xijiang Exile Star to Guan Xue and Qian Mao in the Capital when he received Zuo Luohuan's message. He paused, thinking. [Why are you suddenly asking about this?]
Zuo Luohuan: [Send me all the information you can find.]
Jiang Hong's interest piqued. [Luohuan, are you planning something against Ji Yuezhi again? Don't. Although you're rivals, honestly, I think he's a pretty good guy.]
Zuo Luohuan frowned. What had she done to him? These people were always thinking strange things.
The next second, Jiang Hong received a message:
[However good he is, he's mine.]
Comments
Post a Comment