IF

12

The luxurious room was destroyed. The disoriented singer stumbled out, his steps unsteady. ShangYu lifted a chair in rage and slammed it against the door, the noise alerted the guest downstairs. His friend tried to help but was paralyzed right on the spot by the overpowering pheromones billowing out from ShangYu's room.

The anger of an SSS-level Alpha was beyond the control of ordinary people. Omegas present even from a distance were rendered weak-kneed by the overwhelming onslaught of pheromones. His friend urgently dialled the Alpha Enforcement Centre and instructed someone to bring in ShiWen. The Alpha's suffocating pheromones would soon be a foetal weapon. ShangYu's low growls faintly emanated from within "ShiWen" was all he was repeating.

ShiWen was in the kitchen stirring a pot of tapioca pudding when a series of urgent knocks appeared on the front door. He got a text message from ShangYu an hour ago, "I miss you and the tapioca pudding too"

He was still in his apron when he hurried in the car. The news that ShangYu might be hurt shattered him, his heart hurt, his head hurt, and so did every nerve and every inch of his skin. ShiWen's face turned pale amidst the confusion and bewilderment, it wasn't until he was guided off the car and the fimliar pheromones filled his lungs that he realzied what was happening.

The officials from the Enforcement Center were already in position, holding a dark tranquillizer gun in their hands. When ShiWen's hand touched the chilling weapon, he was suddenly snapped out of his daze. He charged into the suffocating pheromones, fiercely pounding on the tightly shut door.

"ShangYu! ShangYu!" He cried despertly.

The beast inside the room caught the fimilar blend of fine red wine and sweet syrup, his mind regained some clarity. "Shi... Shi Wen..." He had lost too much blood, his voice came out slightly audible.

"It's me! It's me" ShiWen's voice trembled. "Are you alright? ShangYu? Can I come in..."

Before he could finish his words, the door in front of him yanked open, revealing Shang Yu's dishevelled yet towering figure. Before he could react, ShiWen was pulled into an embrace.

"I didn't... I didn't..." ShangYu clung to ShiWen, his voice trembling, hoarse as if scraped over gravel. "I didn't touch him... I've been good. I've been so good...."

The Alpha in his arms trembled like a injured creature drenched in rain, his tortured cries echoing throughout his frazzled nerves and body. His hands gripped Shi Wen's hands desperately.

Reality and dream melded, blurring ShiWen's face. It was as if ShangYu went back to his previous life, the day he had seen ShiWen for the final time.

A face gaunt and withered, sunken and protruding eyes blinking slow and slugglishly—ShangYu stood before the frail figure of ShiWen. He himself stood with sheer indifference and detachment and spoke the most venomous words to the person who had loved him for a decade.

Tears streamed down Shang Yu's face.

"Don't... don't leave, don't go... I... I'm so sorry..."

Shiwen hugged him, pulling him close.